Malabar
/ˈmæl.ə.bɑːr/noun
A historical name for the southwestern coast of India, especially the Malabar Coast.
Did you know?The name became famous in European languages through medieval trade routes, and many older spellings reflect outsiders trying to render a local coastal place-name they only heard, not owned.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient/medieval local usage
Dravidian
malai + varam?
“A local place-name likely connected to the region’s coastal geography, though the exact pre-European origin is uncertain.”
Arabic and Persian medieval usage
Arabic/Persian
Malibar / Malabar
“A name used by traders for the southwest coast of India.”
13th-15th Century
European travel writing
Malabar
“The western Indian coast as reported by travelers and merchants.”
16th Century
Portuguese
Malabar
“A major spice-trading region on the Indian Ocean coast.”
Modern English
English
Malabar
“The historical name for the Malabar Coast and, by extension, related regional uses.”
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