That "" is one of the suffixes(ÚöĞ setsubi-ji), but in the old letters it was written "ċj".
"Ġ(tora)" on the right means "tiger", it expresses the symbol of strength or big existence.
Although it is a suffix, it is close to the meaning of "honorifics(hÌ)" or "title(Ì)" as usage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_honorificsHowever, it is not attached to all animals, it is limited to animals useful/helpful/worthful to humans.
Out of animals, it is also attached to the name of vehicles(now train and bus mainly),
but ships are more commonly using "Û(maru)", this Û is also often used for same animals.
https://www.kaijipr.or.jp/mamejiten/fune/fune_20.htmlIn the era when Samurai was there, it was also used to a boy name.
https://sengokumiman.com/youmeitouhyou.html
Attaching Û to the name of the ship was decided by ship law, but the provision of law is already gone,
but attaching to such animals and others is not just a law but a "custom(tradition)".
attached to names of magazines, roads, typhoons and more is also a suffix,
but this is a way of usage closse to "counter words ()".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_counter_wordThe size notation of women's clothes still uses is also famous as same usage.
https://top.dhc.co.jp/shop/fashion/fashion/size.html