Type Island & Country

Meaning & History

From the name of an island off the southeastern coast of Africa, named Moçambique by the Portuguese after the 15th-century local sultan موسى بن بيك (Mūsā bin Bīk). This island became the region's Portuguese colonial capital in the 16th century, and the name was eventually applied to a large area of mainland Africa. Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1974.

Related Names

Other Languages & CulturesMosambik(German) Mozambico(Italian) Mosambik(Norwegian) Moçambique(Portuguese) Msumbiji(Swahili) Moçambique(Swedish)

Categories

Entry updated October 6, 2024