Guinean
/ˈɡɪn.i.ən/noun
Relating to Guinea or its people, especially the Republic of Guinea in West Africa.
Did you know?The name Guinea later traveled into English words such as “guinea” for a British gold coin and “guinea pig,” even though guinea pigs are native to South America, not Guinea.
Etymological Timeline
Possibly Medieval
Berber?
aguinaou / gnaoua
“A proposed source connected with Berber terms for Black people or people from the south; this derivation remains disputed.”
15th Century
Portuguese
Guiné
“A name used by Portuguese navigators for parts of the West African coast and its hinterland.”
16th Century
Spanish
Guinea
“A borrowed geographic name for the West African region.”
16th Century
English
Guinea
“The West African region, later used in several geographical names.”
17th–18th Century
English
Guinean
“Of or relating to Guinea; the adjectival and demonym form built from Guinea with the suffix -an.”
Modern English
English
Guinean
“Relating chiefly to the Republic of Guinea or its people, with context distinguishing it from other countries whose names contain Guinea.”
Explore more surprising origins