Ahi
/ˈɑː.hiː/noun
Ahi is a name commonly used in English for yellowfin tuna and, sometimes, bigeye tuna.
Did you know?Hawaiian has two distinct words spelled ahi: one means “fire,” while the fish name refers to tuna; English adopted the fish term as a culinary loanword.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Polynesian
Proto-Polynesian
*ʻasi
“A reconstructed Polynesian form associated with Hawaiian ahi; the exact historical pathway to the fish name is not fully certain.”
Pre-contact Hawaii
Hawaiian
ahi
“A tuna fish, especially yellowfin tuna; Hawaiian also has ahi meaning “fire,” a separate usage.”
19th Century
Hawaiian English
ahi
“A Hawaiian fish name used in English-language descriptions of Pacific tuna.”
20th Century
American English
ahi
“A culinary name for yellowfin tuna, especially in seafood markets and restaurants.”
Modern English
English
ahi
“Yellowfin or bigeye tuna, commonly served raw, seared, or in sushi-style dishes.”