Courantyne
/ˈkʊərəntaɪn/noun
A historical English spelling of the Corentyne, a river forming much of the border between Guyana and Suriname.
Did you know?The name’s ultimate Indigenous origin is uncertain; “Courantyne” is an English historical form related to Dutch “Corantijn,” not a proven reference to currents or courtiers.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-colonial period
Indigenous languages
Uncertain source form
“The river name likely derives from an Indigenous language of the Guiana region, but the original form and meaning are not securely documented.”
17th Century
Dutch
Corantijn
“Dutch colonial form for the river now commonly called the Corentyne.”
17th–18th Century
Dutch/English
Corantijn / Corantine
“Variant colonial spellings circulated in maps and travel accounts.”
18th–19th Century
English
Courantyne
“Historical English spelling of the river name.”
Modern English
English
Corentyne
“The standard modern English form, with “Courantyne” retained in historical and variant usage.”
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