island names: List of Names with Meanings

Looking for unique and captivating names for your next adventure? Our collection of island names offers a diverse range of options, each with a rich history and captivating meaning. From exotic tropical havens to rugged, windswept isles, these names evoke a sense of escape and wonder. Whether you're seeking inspiration for a fictional world, a personal project, or simply a name with a touch of island magic, this list is a treasure trove of possibilities.
1. **Aitutaki:** Meaning "little island" in the Cook Islands language, this name evokes a sense of tranquility and intimacy.
2. **Bora Bora:** A Polynesian name meaning "first born," Bora Bora is synonymous with luxury and paradise, known for its stunning lagoon and volcanic peaks.
3. **Cayman Brac:** This name, derived from the Spanish word "brazo" meaning "arm," reflects the island's slender shape and its connection to the larger Cayman Islands.
4. **Crete:** This Greek island, named after the mythical king Minos, is steeped in history and mythology, known for its ancient ruins and stunning landscapes.
5. **Fuerteventura:** This Spanish name translates to "strong wind," a nod to the island's powerful trade winds and its rugged, windswept beauty.
6. **Galapagos:** Meaning "tortoise" in Spanish, this name reflects the iconic giant tortoises that inhabit the islands, famed for their unique biodiversity.
7. **Hawaii:** This Hawaiian name meaning "home of the gods" is steeped in spirituality and natural beauty, known for its active volcanoes and lush rainforests.
8. **Iguazu:** This name of the South American waterfall, derived from the Guaraní language, means "big throat," referencing the roar of the cascading waters.
9. **Jamaica:** This Arawak name meaning "land of wood and water" accurately describes the island's lush vegetation and abundant rivers.
10. **Koh Rong:** This Cambodian island name translates to "Island of the Bamboo," referring to the island's dense bamboo forests and tranquil shores.
11. **Lanzarote:** This name, possibly derived from the legendary Italian explorer Lancelotto Malocello, evokes a sense of mystery and adventure.
12. **Maldives:** Meaning "thousand islands" in the local language, this name captures the sheer number of picturesque atolls that make up the Maldives.
13. **Maui:** This Hawaiian name meaning "a god's name," refers to the demigod Maui, known for his legendary exploits and association with the island.
14. **Mykonos:** This Greek island's name may be derived from the mythical figure Mykonos, son of the god Apollo, associated with beauty and artistry.
15. **New Caledonia:** This French name means "new Caledonia," reflecting its discovery by Europeans and its unique geological formations.
16. **Palau:** Derived from the Palauan word "beleu," meaning "state," this name suggests a sovereign and independent island nation.
17. **Sardinia:** This Italian island, named after the ancient Sardinian people, is known for its rich history, unique culture, and stunning beaches.
18. **Seychelles:** Named after the French minister Jean Moreau de Séchelles, this island nation embodies paradise with its pristine beaches and turquoise waters.
19. **Santorini:** This Greek island's name may be derived from the Saint Irene church, reflecting its strong religious connections.
20. **Tahiti:** This Polynesian name meaning "great gathering place" reflects the island's historical importance as a center of trade and cultural exchange.
21. **Tasmania:** Named after the Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman, this Australian island is known for its rugged wilderness and unique wildlife.
22. **Tenerife:** This Spanish name meaning "Mount Teide," refers to the island's iconic volcanic peak, a prominent feature of its landscape.
23. **Vanuatu:** This Melanesian name meaning "our land" reflects the island nation's strong sense of identity and pride.
24. **Vis:** This Croatian island, named after the Latin word "vis" meaning "force," is known for its strategic location and its dramatic cliffs.
25. **Waiheke Island:** This Māori name, meaning "place of shellfish," reflects the island's abundant marine life and its connection to the sea.
26. **Zakynthos:** This Greek island's name is derived from the mythical figure Zakynthos, a king who settled the island, associating it with royalty and prosperity.
27. **Anguilla:** This Caribbean island name, derived from the Spanish word "anguila" meaning "eel," refers to the island's shape, resembling a long, slender eel.
28. **Antigua:** This island's name is derived from the Portuguese word "Antigua," meaning "ancient," reflecting its historical significance as one of the first Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans.
29. **Aruba:** This Caribbean island's name, possibly derived from the Arawak word "Oran," meaning "a palm tree," reflects the island's lush palm-fringed beaches.
30. **Barbados:** This island's name is derived from the Portuguese word "os barbados," meaning "bearded ones," referring to the fig trees that grow on the island, with their roots resembling beards.
31. **Bermuda:** This island's name is derived from the Spanish word "Bermudas," possibly referring to the Portuguese explorer João de Bermudes, who was shipwrecked on the islands in the 16th century.
32. **Dominica:** This Caribbean island's name, meaning "Sunday" in Latin, refers to the island's discovery on a Sunday by Christopher Columbus.
33. **Grenada:** This Caribbean island's name is derived from the Spanish word "Granada," meaning "pomegranate," possibly referring to the island's shape, resembling a pomegranate fruit.
34. **Montserrat:** This Caribbean island's name, meaning "mountain of sorrow" in Latin, refers to the island's volcanic peaks, which were a source of hardship for early settlers.
35. **Puerto Rico:** This Spanish name meaning "rich port," reflects the island's strategic location and its historically important harbor.
36. **Saint Lucia:** This Caribbean island's name, meaning "Saint Lucy," refers to the patron saint of light, chosen by French settlers who were reminded of the island's beauty by the saint's illuminated eyes.
37. **Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:** This Caribbean island's name combines two separate elements, Saint Vincent, named after the Spanish saint, and the Grenadines, a chain of smaller islands named after the pomegranate fruit.
38. **Trinidad and Tobago:** This Caribbean island's name combines two distinct elements, Trinidad, named by Christopher Columbus after the Holy Trinity, and Tobago, named after the local indigenous people.
39. **Virgin Islands:** This Caribbean island's name, meaning "virgin islands," refers to the islands' pristine beauty and their remote location.
40. **Cayman Islands:** This Caribbean island's name is derived from the Spanish word "caimán," meaning "alligator," referring to the large reptiles that inhabit the island's swamps.