The word "princeps" can mean "first", but it can also mean "prince", and it seems likely that the latter was the intended meaning, as a comment on the beauty of this lizard's dorsal pattern. So "First Anole" is just a silly name.

This big gal was found sleeping at night, as were most of the anoles I saw on this trip to Ecuador.

To prove the point, this li'l baby, the only other individual I saw of this species, was also found sleeping at night.