Where does “manila” come from?

Manila derives from Spanish Manila, from Tagalog Maynila, a place name from Tagalog may nila meaning "there is indigo," referring to indigo plants growing in the settlement.

manila (English): Of or pertaining to Manila, the capital of the...

Definitions

  1. Of or pertaining to Manila, the capital of the...

Ancestry of “manila”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishManilaVenerupis philippinarum; a Pacific clam
2SpanishManilamanila (fabric)
3TagalogMaynila
4Tagalogmay-prefix denoting existence or possession of something
5TagalogMayMay
6EnglishMayThe fifth month of the Gregorian calendar, following April and preceding June
7FrenchmaiMay
8Old Frenchmai
9LatinMāius“month”}} of May
10LatinMaianominative feminine singular of Maius; nominative...
11Ancient Greekμαῖαmidwife; foster mother, nurse; good mother, dame
12Ancient Greekμήτηρmother; source or origin
13Proto-Hellenicmā́tērmother
14Proto-Indo-Europeanméh₂tērmother
Every word from Proto-Indo-European méh₂tērEvery word from Proto-Hellenic mā́tērEvery word from Ancient Greek μήτηρ