Kiwi
/ˈkiːwiː/noun
A flightless nocturnal bird native to New Zealand, or the edible fruit commonly called a kiwifruit.
Did you know?The kiwi bird became a powerful Māori and New Zealand national symbol, while the fruit only adopted the name internationally in the twentieth century because its fuzzy brown skin suggested the bird.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-European Māori
Māori
kiwi
“The name of New Zealand’s small, nocturnal, flightless bird; the deeper origin is uncertain, possibly imitative.”
18th Century
English
kiwi
“English explorers and naturalists recorded the Māori bird-name for the unfamiliar New Zealand bird.”
19th Century
English
Kiwi
“The term began to be used informally for a New Zealander, especially in connection with national identity.”
Early 20th Century
English
kiwi
““Kiwi” became strongly established as a national nickname for New Zealanders, aided by the bird’s emblematic status.”
1960s
English
kiwifruit
“New Zealand marketers promoted Chinese gooseberries under the name “kiwifruit” for export markets.”
Modern English
English
kiwi
“Used chiefly for the bird, the shortened fruit name, or an informal name for a New Zealander.”
Explore more surprising origins