Mauritian
/məˈrɪʃ.ən/noun
Relating to Mauritius, its people, or its culture; a native or citizen of Mauritius.
Did you know?Mauritius was named Mauritius by Dutch sailors in 1598 after Prince Maurice of Nassau, while the underlying name comes from Latin Maurus, meaning “Moor.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μαῦρος (mauros)
“Dark or dusky; later associated with a Moor or dark-skinned person”
Classical Latin
Latin
Maurus
“A Moor; a person from Mauretania in North Africa”
Late Latin
Latin
Mauritius
“Belonging to Maurus; the name of Saint Maurice and others bearing the name”
1598
Dutch
Mauritius
“Name given to the island by Dutch sailors in honor of Prince Maurice of Nassau”
17th Century
French
Maurice / Île Maurice
“Mauritius and its associated personal name in French usage”
18th Century–Modern
English
Mauritian
“Relating to Mauritius or its people”
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