Humans have always been fascinated by islands, from the sunlit Pacific Isles to the windswept Arctic island chains. These isolated land formations are surrounded by enormous water bodies; hence they hold some degree of mystery and attraction. What makes them even more enchanting? The names we have given them over generations.
Names are not just mere tags but rather, cultural symbols, historical references, and linguistic patterns. Island names often convey narratives about the original natives inhabiting them at first, the discoverers who stumbled upon them, or their defining features in terms of nature.
It has therefore become necessary to appreciate where these names came from at a time when every corner of the planet is becoming accessible easily; this enables us to embrace the variety of cultures spread across our earth and develop stronger ties with these unique physical gifts.
Therefore let’s go on an expedition through the interesting world of island names so that we can find out where they come from and what they mean.
Island Names and Their Captivating Histories
1. Hawai’i: It is believed that the name “Hawai’i” originated from their native language which means “homeland” or “place of the gods.”
2. Bali: The name of this Indonesian island, however, has been thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word “vali”, which means “offering” or “sacrifice.”
3. Fiji: In fact, the name “Fiji” comes in its earliest rendition from the Tongan word, Viti that was used by its early settlers.
4. Lombok: Found in Indonesia, it is said that the name Lombok is actually Sasak and means “straight” or “chaste.”
5. Mykonos: This Cycladic island takes after Mykonos who was a grandson of Apollo as per Greek mythology.
6. Bermuda: Bermudas’ Spanish sailor Juan de Bermúdez is assumed to have given this name in 1505.
7. Zanzibar: Its name is translated as ‘coast of blacks.’ It was dubbed so because it served as an important trading post during the Spice Trade era and slave trade time for Arabs.
8. Galapagos: These Ecuadorian islands were named by Spaniards as ‘Galapagos’, an obsolete Spanish word meaning saddle because one of them looks like a saddle.
9. Easter Island – Rapa Nui, an island located in Chilean territory was discovered on Easter Sunday in 1722 by Jacob Roggeveen of Dutch origin so he named it Easter Island
10. Mauritius: Its name derives from the Dutch word “Mauritius”, who was a great prince in the Netherlands during the 17th century when it was colonized.
11. Bora Bora: It is claimed that the name “Bora Bora” means very first born in Tahitian and it takes this name as it is said to be the oldest of these islands of society
12. Santorini: This beautiful Greek island’s name actually originates from Latin language, Santa Irini, which stands for St.Irene after a tiny chapel by the same name.
13. Tahiti: The word Tahiti comes from tahi in their native language meaning a sea or ocean.
14. Cozumel: The origins of this Mexican island go back to Mayan times when Cuzamil meant the place of swallows in their dialect.
15. Palawan: Located in the Philippines, its Chinese roots speak Pa-lao-yu which means beautiful island.
16. Maui: According to Hawaiian mythology, the Maui demigod gave birth to the island which now bears his name because he was famous for many astounding exploits and adventures that he engaged himself into.
17. Bougainville: The French man Louis-Antoine de Bougainville gave his own surname to this Papua New Guinean island he discovered in 1768/1770.
18. Oahu: Its actual meaning according to Hawaiians is “the gathering place”.
The Big Island (Hawaii) Names and Their Meanings
| Name | Meaning |
| Hawai’i | Homeland or place of the gods |
| Mauna Kea | White Mountain |
| Kilauea | Spewing or Much Spreading |
| Kailua-Kona | Two Lava Flows |
| Hilo | Raging Billows |
| Waikaloa | Waters of the Long Spear |
| Waimea | Reddish Water |
| Kealakekua | Pathway of the God |
| Puna | Spring or Well |
Cool Island Names
1. Bora Bora
2. Santorini
3. Maui
4. Bali
5. Capri
6. Fiji
7. Seychelles
8. Mauritius
9. Mykonos
10. Kauai
11. Lanai
12. Lombok
13. Bougainville
14. Samoa
15. Vanuatu
16. Tonga
17. Maldives
18. Grenada
19. Barbados
20. Antigua
21. St. Lucia
22. Bermuda
23. Bahamas
24. Galapagos
25. Cocos (Keeling)
26. Tuvalu
27. Palau
28. Nauru
29. Niue
30. Guam
Island Boys’ Names
1. Kai
2. Luca
3. Nalu
4. Koa
5. Reef
6. Bodhi
7. Finn
8. Ryder
9. Marley
10. Cruz
11. Milo
12. Kenzo
13. Alani
14. Kainoa
15. Makoa
16. Keanu
17. Kainalu
18. Kailani
19. Kahili
20. Kaimana
21. Nahele
22. Kaimoku
23. Keahi
24. Kaimalu
25. Kaimalu
26. Kanalu
27. Kahai
28. Kaipo
29. Kaleo
30. Keoki
Island Girls’ Names
1. Isla
2. Cove
3. Aloha
4. Kai
5. Naia
6. Lani
7. Kailani
8. Makai
9. Nalani
10. Keahi
11. Kona
12. Malia
13. Leilani
14. Kalani
15. Moana
16. Kaia
17. Mahina
18. Nani
19. Kaimana
20. Kalea
21. Pahili
22. Hanalei
23. Kawena
24. Kekoa
25. Lilinoe
26. Maile
27. Nalani
28. Nohea
29. Pohai
30. Ulani
Funny Island Names
| Name | Potential Meaning |
| Stank Isle | An island with a…distinctive aroma |
| Scratchy Bottom | An island with an itchy sandy beach? |
| Funky Doric | Home to some groovy ancient Greeks? |
| Chill Trill Isle | A very laidback island with great bird-watching |
| Blurbatraz | An Island Prison for Bad Comedians |
| Gigg Island | Where they mine laughing gas |
| Punny Atoll | An island full of terrible puns |
| Isla De’Bunk | An island of MythBusters |
| Flibberty Gibbet Key | No one’s quite sure what this means |
| Tanglebunion Quay | The island for foot massage devotees |
| Bumbershoot Shoals | The typhoon capital of the world |
| Jackanory Islands | Storytelling havens in the South Pacific |
| Kleinhuhnchen Archipelago | German for “tiny chickens”? |
| Rantan Isle | Known for its wild rantings and ravings |
| Isle McGillicuddy | Settled by very Scottish immigrants |
| Boowackity Key | You’ll be saying “blowback” when you see it |
| Fiddle Waddle Atoll | An island of very clumsy violin players |
| Mishmash Island | A crazy blend of cultures and traditions |
| Higgledy Piggledy Isle | Nothing is quite in order here |
| Ohwowohwow Cay | The beauty will make you say “Oh wow!” |
| Rumplefudge Island | Fudge is so good it will rumple you up! |
| Gobblefunked Key | No idea, but it’s fun to say |
| Mookurafuffoon Atoll | An imaginary cursed island, maybe? |
| Bagabundits Island | Possibly home to thieves and scoundrels |
| Skedaddle Isle | The perfect place to make a quick getaway |
| Razzmatappling Cay | A fusion of razzmatazz and tapping dances |
| Tizzy Izzy Island | Where the residents are in a perpetual dither |
| Flibbertigibbet Key | Another fanciful name with no clear meaning |
| Furngibbled Atoll | What does that even mean? Let’s go there! |
Dead Island Named Zombies
Butcher
Thug
Raskol
Ram
Blammo
Boxer
Lynard
Esco
Khan
Thrash
Crusher
Denny
Champ
Braun
Criz
Zeke
Reily
Zits
Kusha
Rev
Reefer
Sugar
Shiv
Sickle
Snarl
Gnash
Juds
Gasher
Gronk
Skrank
Pal World Island Names
Millpond Isle
Tranquility Cay
Serenity Key
Halcyon Atoll
Restful Retreat
Oasis Island
Becalmed Bay
Haven Harbour
Solace Shores
Zenith Isles
Azure Archipelago
Sapphire Sanctuary
Cerulean Coves
Lapis Lagoon
Turquoise Tides
Aquamarine Atolls
Teal Tropics
Seafoam Shores
Beryl Bays
Ultramarine Isles
Navy Narrows
Cobalt Cays
Indigo Inlets
Peacock Paradise
Robin’s Egg Retreat
Bluebird Bays
Cerulean Sanctuary
Loch Lomond Lagoon
Wedgwood Waters
Majorelle Mirage
Conclusion
From the analysis of island names, it is clear that these are not mere labels. They are more than just convenient tags; they represent cultures, histories, and stories encapsulated in a few words.
Every name of an island has a story to tell. Consequently, from Hawaiian Bora Bora and Fijian Vanuatu to others can be said to give us an insight into human life in general. The names of the islands remind us about our connection with nature by honoring them by mentioning famous landforms such as mountainous terrains found on the various islands or even their abundant vegetation and animal species. They speak of unique aspects of geography that make each island suitable for human habitation as well as its own self-contained ecosystem.
Names associated with these areas also show how people and their cultures have evolved over time. In fact, Bougainville, and Seychelles among many others imply “exploration.” Works like Zanzibar however when spoken sounds like some form of punishment.
The silliest things like this ‘Funky Doric’ or ‘Rumplefudge’, play on our imagination and sense of humor – both being qualities essential for survival during difficult times for humankind.
