The Most Fascinating Island Names You Should Know

5 Most Famous Island Names & Their Name Meaning

1. The Boracay Islands (Philippines)

The Boracay Islands is one of the famous tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. Westerners are attracted to this beautiful island for its fine white sand, exciting sunset views, and awesome beach activities. Before the Spanish occupation in the early 16th century, the entire island is inhabited by the Ati people, a Southeast Asian ethnic group that was labeled as “Negritos” by the Spaniards for their dark brown skin color.

The island name “Boracay” came from the Ati dialect. It is derived from the words “borac”, meaning “bubbles”, and “bocay” which means “white”, a perfect name representation of its white sand and watery shores. Locals living on the island are called “Boracaynons”.

2. The Bora Bora Island (Society Islands of French Polynesia)

The Bora Bora Islands are one of the many islands that comprise the Islands of Tahiti located in French Polynesia. While the Bora Bora Islands have a resemblance to Boracay Island’s name, they have a distinct difference in the origin of its name. The term “Bora Bora” is spelled “Porapora” in the local Tahitian language, which translates as “First Born” in English. The island was first discovered by Dutch Admiral Jacob Roggeveen in 1722 and was annexed by France in the 19th century. 

3. Santorini Island (Greece)

The crescent island of Santorini is found at the southern center of the Greek peninsula. It is famous for its long volcanic beeches since the island itself is a remnant of a huge caldera. During the ancient Greek civilization, the island of Santorini is called Thira, which remains the official name of this volcanic caldera today. The term “Santorini” is a direct reference to Saint Irene of Thessalonica, which is more often called “Santa Irini”. Saint Irene is the name of the old-standing cathedral in the southeasternmost village of Perissa.

4. The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is a country found in the South Pacific Ocean which exists as an associate state with New Zealand. There are a total of 15 main islands in their region and has a 93 square-mile area in coverage. The Cook Islands are famous for their aquamarine lagoons, white beaches, and volcanic peaks. The locals from the islands are known to be one of the friendliest in the South Pacific. The group of islands was named after British Captain James Cook, after its annexation by New Zealand in the 20th century. Recalling in the 18th century, Captain James Cook first named the islands “Hervey Island” in reference to Augustus Hervey, the third Earl of Bristol. 

5. Bali (Indonesia)

The province of Bali in Indonesia is found in the westernmost part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The island province is known for its numerous erected Hindu temples, rice terraces, and scrumptious delicacies. On top of that, Bali is a major tourist destination for their sky-blue beaches and huge waves for surfing. 

The name “Bali” was given to the island by Sri Kesari Warmadewa, the first king of the island in 913 CE. The original island’s name is “Bali Dwipa” which roughly translates as “Island of Sacrifice” or “Island of Offering”.