Where does “Melayu” come from?

Melayu comes from Malay Melayu, which derives from Malay Malayu, a term of uncertain origin and meaning.

Melayu (English): The Malay ethnic group

Definitions

  1. The Malay ethnic group

Ancestry of “Melayu”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1MalayMelayuMalay
2MalayMalayu—
3Old Javaneselayūto run
4Proto-Sunda-Sulawesilariw—
5Proto-Malayo-Polynesianlaʀiw—
6Proto-Austronesianlaʀiw—
Every word from Proto-Austronesian laʀiw →Every word from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian laʀiw →Every word from Proto-Sunda-Sulawesi lariw →
Melayu — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer