A Maltese Redditor created an etymological map of the Maltese Islands.
Have you ever thought about where the names of Maltese localities come from? Or what they mean?
Well, one resourceful Redditor has got you covered! In the Malta subreddit, user AndrewF1Gaming made an etymological map of the Maltese Islands (pictured below), displaying the meaning of almost every locality’s name.
Credit: r/Malta (via u/AndrewF1Gaming)/Reddit
For example, Kalkara is derived from the Latin word for lime, and Mqabba refers to the verb meaning ‘to cut stone’, as the locality was the centre of quarrying in Malta.
In Malta’s Northern region, Għargħur’s name stems from the Arabic word for the Sictus Tree; and Mellieħa derives from the Arabic word for salt, most likely due to the salt pans that were in Mellieħa Bay during Punic-Roman times, where the Għadira Nature Reserve lies today.
Gozo’s Munxar originates from the Maltese word for ‘bucksaw’, and Għasri stems from the Arabic word referring to the period between the afternoon and evening.
Comino, on the other hand, derives from the plant Cumin, which grew abundantly all over the Maltese Islands, especially in Comino.
Did you know the meaning behind any of these names?
r/Malta (via u/AndrewF1Gaming)/Reddit