Kiribati etymology

Etymology

Kiribati is derived from Gilbertese, the native language of the island nation.

Meaning

There are two possible interpretations for the meaning of Kiribati:

  • Kiribati (Gilbertese): "land of Kiribati"
  • Kirimati (Gilbertese): "Christmas Island"

Origin

  • Land of Kiribati Interpretation:

    This interpretation suggests that Kiribati comes from the phrase "Te I-Kiribati," which means "the people of Kiribati." The prefix "Te" indicates a collective noun, and "I-Kiribati" refers to the inhabitants of the Gilbert Islands.

  • Christmas Island Interpretation:

    This interpretation is based on the fact that Kiribati's main island, Tarawa, was discovered by British explorer Captain James Cook on Christmas Eve in 1777. Cook named the island "Christmas Island," and the name was later extended to include the entire archipelago.

Official Name

The official name of the country is Republic of Kiribati. It was adopted after the nation gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979.

Kiribati relate terms

  • Gilbert

    Etymology Old German Giselbert Compound of Gisil Hostage pledge Behrt Bright

  • Kiribati

    Etymology Kiribati is derived from Gilbertese the native language of the island nation

  • Marshall

    Etymology The surname Marshall is derived from the Old French word mareschal meani

  • Kiribati

    Etymology Kiribati is derived from Gilbertese the native language of the island nation

  • pastor

    Etymology Latin pastor meaning shepherd or herdsman Old English pastor mean

  • deliver

    Etymology Latin deferre to bear away bring down Proto Indo European dʰer to

  • perceive

    Etymology Latin percipere to take hold of lay hold of Proto Indo European per

  • Rasputin

    Etymology and Meaning The name Rasputin is derived from the Russian word rasputnik w

  • betray

    Etymology The word betray comes from the Old French word betreier which in turn come

  • precipitation

    Etymology precipitare Latin to fall rush down prae Latin prefix before down

  • stymie

    Etymology The word stymie comes from the Middle English term stymye which means to

  • constipation

    Etymology The word constipation is derived from the Latin word constipare which mean