Mozambique
/ˌmɒz.æmˈbiːk/noun
A country in southeastern Africa, or the Mozambique Channel between Mozambique and Madagascar.
Did you know?The name ultimately comes from the Arabic name of a local ruler, Mūsā ibn Bīk, which Portuguese speakers adapted into the form Mozambique.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-15th Century
Arabic/Swahili
Mūsā ibn Bīk
“The name of a local ruler associated with the island and coastal region.”
15th Century
Portuguese
Moçambique
“Portuguese rendering of the island name and coastal settlement.”
16th Century
Portuguese
Moçambique
“Name used for the island, then the surrounding region and trade area.”
Modern English
English
Mozambique
“The modern English name for the country, channel, and related geographic uses.”