Discover 765 Taino Words and Their Meanings

Explore the Richness of Taino Heritage and Connect with a Lost Culture

Explore the world of Taino words and unveil the language and culture of the indigenous people of the Caribbean.

Discover the meanings behind 765 Taino words that reveal the origin, traditions, values, and environment of a civilization that thrived long before European contact.

Continue reading to deepen your understanding of this rich heritage through the words that have transcended time.

Taino Words

Here is a list of Taino words that continue to echo through the streets and hills of Puerto Rico today!

These terms, deeply rooted in the rich history of the Taino people, not only provide a fascinating glimpse into the past but also remain vibrantly alive in the island’s current linguistic landscape.

Discover how these ancient expressions persist in modern Puerto Rican culture.

Taino Words Starting with Letter A

Abá – A type of shrub found on the Isle of Pines. (Pichardo)
Abacoa – Original Boricua name for the Grande River in Arecibo, documented in a 1582 report to the King.
Abey – A wild tree in Cuba (Poepigia exelsa).
Abuje – A small insect that bites and causes itching, known as babuje near Holguin, Cuba, and referred to as abuse in Puerto Rico.
Abija – River in Santo Domingo, a tributary of the Macorix.
Abita – River in Santo Domingo, a tributary of the Ozama.
Acana – Wild tree (Achras acana), also known as Jácana or hácana.
Acanorex – A Haitian cacique entrusted to Pedro de Murcia in 1514.
Acubá – Wild fruit of the mamey sapote tree (achras mamosa), known as sapotillier in French and mamme sapote in English.
Achiote – Tree whose seeds are used for coloring and flavoring; known as bixa orellana scientifically.
Achinao – See Louquo.
Adamanay – The islet of Saona, used as a refuge by the Haitian cacique Cotubanamú after being defeated by Spanish conquerors.
Agabáma – River in Cuba, also known as Manati.
Aguacate – Avocado tree (Persea gratissima).
Aguají – Fish in Cuba; also refers to the plant that produces chili peppers.
Agüeybana – Name of a principal cacique in Boriquén during Juan Ponce de León’s 1508 visit.
Aje – Sweet potato; first seen by Columbus in Haiti and mistakenly called niame.
Ají – Pepper plant (Capsicum), various species exist, known for its pungency.
Ajiaco – A traditional Cuban stew made with various vegetables, maize, pork, and beef jerky.
Alcatraz – Pelican; term thought to be of Arabic origin.
Amanex – A cacique of Haiti, entrusted to Alonso de Parada in 1514.
Amaguey – A valley in Haiti named after the river flowing through it.
Anacahuita – Mexican term for a medicinal tree (Cordia Boissieri).
Anacaona – Famous Haitian cacica, sister of cacique Bojekio and wife of cacique Caonabó.
Anaiboa – Starch made from yuca root, used in a dish similar to blancmange.
Anamá – River in Santo Domingo, tributary of the Soco.
Anamü – Wild plant (Petiveria octandra).
Anana – Pineapple (Bromelia ananas), term of Brazilian origin.
Anamuya – River in Santo Domingo, flows into the East coast.
Aniguamar – Variety of sweet potato considered the best by the natives.
Aniguayaqua – Described by Las Casas alongside the Baoruco in Haiti.
Anibón – Location in the fields of Morovis, Puerto Rico.
Anón – Fruit of the custard apple tree (Anona squamosa).
Apasote – Mexican term for a plant used as a vermifuge (Anserine antelmintique).
Arabo – Wild tree in Cuba (Erythroxylum).
Arasibo – Boricua cacique, name source for the town of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
Aramoca – Haitian cacique, entrusted to Diego de Vergara in 1514.
Aramaná – Boricua cacique, entrusted in 1510 to the royal farms in Toa.
Ariguanabo – Lagoon north of San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba.
Arique – Cord made from a strip of palm bark, used for tying small bundles.
Arimao – River irrigating the tobacco fields of Manicaragua, Cuba.
Arijua – Foreigner.
Areyto – Traditional song and dance of the indigenous peoples, with historical and social themes.
Aruacas – Name of indigenous tribes from Mainland South America, related to the Araguacu.
Aruacay – First Aruacas village encountered by the Spanish in Mainland South America.
Asuba – Wild fruit of the mamey sapote.
Atabex – A deity considered the mother of God by the natives of Hispaniola.
Ateque – Tree in Cuba (Cordia callo cocca).
Athebeane nequen – Term used to describe women who were buried alive with the corpse of a cacique.
Atibuineix – A variety of sweet potato.
Atol – A traditional Mesoamerican beverage made from maize, originally thick and gelatinous.
Auyama – Common squash in Haiti, distinguished from other similar fruits.
Ausúa – Tree in Santo Domingo (Guridi).
Ausubo – Tree in Puerto Rico (Achras disecta).
Ausuba – Fruit of the ausubo tree, similar to loquat but not cultivated.
Ayfia – Tree in Cuba (Xanthoxylum lanceolatum).
Aymaco – Location in Boriquén, site of a significant battle led by Juan Ponce de León in 1511.
Aymamón – A cacique of Boriquén who was known for his resistance against Spanish forces.
Ayraguay – Haitian cacique, entrusted to Conchillos in 1514.
Ay-Ay – Indigenous name for an island, also known as Santa Cruz, significant during early explorations.
Ayamuynuex – Haitian cacique, entrusted to Fernando de la Vega in 1514.
Ayaguatex – Haitian cacique, entrusted to the licenciado Becerra in 1514.
Auyén – Plant from Santo Domingo (Guridi).
Azua – City in Santo Domingo, founded by Diego Velázquez in 1504.
Amoná – The island of Mona, densely populated during the era of discovery.

Taino Words Starting with Letter B

Baba – Father.
Babeque – An Indigenous Antillean term that led to various interpretations, often mistakenly associated with an island where natives were said to collect gold at night.
Bairoa – Tributary river of the Loiza in Puerto Rico.
Bacbey – Plant species from Cuba (Pichardo).
Banao – Mountain range in Santa Clara, Cuba.
Bainoa – Place within the Marien chiefdom in Santo Domingo, also written as Baynoa by Las Casas.
Bani – Valley extending from Nizao to Ocoa in Santo Domingo; historically a province in Cuba during the conquest.
Babosico – Region in the Cibao area of Santo Domingo.
Bánica – Place within the Maguana chiefdom.
Bao – River tributary of the Yaque in Santo Domingo.
Baitiquiri – Indigenous name for the easternmost point of Cuba, known today as Maisi Point.
Bacupey – Area in the fields of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
Bajari – A term of distinction among the Indigenous Antilleans; also spelled bahari by Las Casas.
Bajaraque – A large bohio (hut).
Bahoruco – High mountain range running through the territory of Jaragua, spelled without an ‘h’ by Las Casas.
Bacoanabo – Wild plant from Santo Domingo.
Banes – Port in Cuba visited by Columbus on his first voyage, originally called Bani.
Bahami – One of the Lucayan Islands, now known simply as Bahama.
Banique – Place in Hispaniola.
Barbacoa – Elevated platform made from palm boards used for storing food or as a sleeping platform.
Baracutey – Bird, animal, or person without a companion, equivalent to solitary.
Baraxagua – Cuban chiefdom during the conquest period as per Velázquez (1514).
Baria – Wild tree from Cuba (Cordia geraschanthoides).
Baramaya – According to Oviedo, a river in southern Puerto Rico, possibly today’s Portugues River.
Barahona – Port on the south coast of Santo Domingo and the name of a Haitian cacica.
Batabanú – Modern Batabanó, a location in Cuba.
Batata – Root vegetable that indigenous people called batatas, described by early explorers as similar to Lombardy turnips or thick earth tubers.
Boniama – A variety of pineapple.
Batea – Originally a word of Indo-European origin, referring to a large container or vessel.
Batey – The rectangular space in front of the cacique’s house, used by indigenous peoples for ball games and assemblies.
Batú – The ball used in indigenous games, described in detail by Las Casas.
Bayabé – Thicker rope than cabuya, used in Cuba.
Bayamón – Town and river in Puerto Rico.
Bayamo – Cuban chiefdom during the conquest according to Velázquez (1514); today a city in Cuba.
Bayaney – Place in the fields of Hatillo, Puerto Rico.
Bayatiquiri – See Baitiquiri.
Bayaguana – Place in Santo Domingo.
Bayajá – Bay and mountain in Santo Domingo and Haiti.
Bajacú – The morning star (García).
Bayoya – Coastal lizard.
Bemini – See Bimini.
Behechio – One of the five principal caciques of Haiti, ruling over the Bahoruco chiefdom.
Behique – See Bohique.
Bejuco – A variety of lianas used by the indigenous peoples for ropes and medicinal purposes.
Bi – Beginning, life, small.
Biaiaca – Fish; referred to as diahacas by Las Casas.
Bibi – Mother; also a neighborhood and river in Utuado, Puerto Rico.
Biajíba – Fish from Cuba (Pichardo).
Bibijagua – A type of ant.
Bija – The tree known in Puerto Rico as achiote (Bixa orellana), the fruit’s seeds used alone or mixed.
Bijagua – Wild tree from Cuba.
Biajaní – Pigeon species.
Bijirita – Variety of small birds from Cuba.
Bieque – The small island of Vieques, east of Puerto Rico.
Bijao – Herb used by indigenous peoples to roof their huts; also spelled bihao by Oviedo.
Bia – River in Azua.
Biajama – Mountain range east of Neiba.
Biautex – Haitian cacique according to Oviedo (book III, chapter V).
Bimini – Island in the Antillean Archipelago, associated with a legendary fountain of youth, explored by Juan Ponce de León.
Bo – In Indigenous Antillean, sometimes means “large” or conveys the idea of “lord.”
Bojio – Indigenous hut; referred to as the northern part of Haiti, symbolizing home or haven. Also written as bohio.
Bojékio – Elder cacique, ruler of Jaragua in Haiti. Also spelled Behechio or Bohechio.
Bocui – River in Santo Domingo, tributary of the Camú.
Bohique – Indigenous Antillean healer and augur. Also spelled behique and various other forms.
Boma – River in Cuba explored by Columbus on his first voyage; also a river in Santo Domingo.
Bonao – Place in Santo Domingo.
Bonasi – Fish from Cuba.
Boniata – Sweet yuca, mentioned by Oviedo. Not specifically mentioned by Las Casas, imported from Mainland to Haiti during the Columbian period.
Boriquen – Indigenous name for the island of Puerto Rico, appearing in various historical maps and documents from the early 1500s.
Boricua – A term sometimes erroneously used for Puerto Rico, derived from Boriquen but influenced by historical variations in spelling.
Bosiba – Large stone.
Botio – Valley in the Samaná mountain.
Boyá – Place in Santo Domingo, within the Higüey chiefdom.
Boyuca – According to Gomara, an island targeted by Juan Ponce de León during his quest for the mythical fountain of youth.
Bucana – Neighborhood and river in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Boyucar – Chiefdom in Cuba during the conquest, as per a letter from the conqueror Velázquez in 1514.
Bucarabón – Neighborhoods in Maricao and Las Marias, Puerto Rico, now spelled Bucarabones.
Burén – Clay stove used for preparing casabe bread, described by Las Casas.
Buitio – See Bohique.
Buba – Describes a disease, historically significant, thought to have originated in the Americas, associated with syphilis.
Buaynara – See Buba.
Buruquena – Small crab found along riverbanks and streams; should be spelled burukena.
Buticacu – Blue eyes; used derogatorily among the Indigenous Antilleans to describe someone with light-colored eyes.
Buyaybá – Haitian village noted for its famous cemí called Zemí de Buyaybi, also known as Baybama.
Baybama – See Buyaybi.
Biáfara – Corruption of Biaiara, a small place in the fields of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

Taino Words Starting with Letter C

Cabacú – Estate in Cuba.
Cabima – A tree from Santo Domingo.
Cabuya – Thin rope or cord made from majagua or maguey.
Cacao – The term originates from Mexican “cacauti.” Indigenous Antilleans were not familiar with this tree (Theobroma cacao) or its fruit.
Cacey – Tributary river of the Añasco River, Puerto Rico.
Cacique – Term used by Columbus to describe indigenous leaders, akin to governors or kings.
Caguabo – Area in Añasco, Puerto Rico, known for the ruins of early San Germán.
Caguax – Name of a Boricua cacique; his name is preserved in the modern city of Caguas.
Caguana – Tributary river of the Grande de Arecibo and a district in Utuado, Puerto Rico.
Caguama – A type of turtle, similar to the hawksbill turtle.
Caguairin – A tree species from Cuba (Hymenaea floribunda).
Caguará – A common clamshell used to scrape the outer layer of cassava.
Caguayo – The lizard.
Caguasa – Wild fruit from Santo Domingo.
Caguani – Lake in the territory of Jaragua, now Lake Enriquillo.
Cáicu – Reef, islet, island, land. Derivatives include caiu, cayu, cayo.
Caimán – A reptile similar to the crocodile, not found in Puerto Rico.
Caimito – Fruit tree (Chrysophyllum caimito), also known as star apple.
Caguabo – Area in Añasco, Puerto Rico, site of early historical significance.
Caguax – Name of a Boricua cacique; his name is preserved in the modern city of Caguas, also historically noted in Cuba.
Caguana – Tributary river of the Grande de Arecibo and a district in Utuado, Puerto Rico.
Caguama – A type of turtle, similar to the hawksbill turtle.
Caguairin – A tree species from Cuba (Hymenaea floribunda).
Caguará – A common clamshell used to scrape the outer layer of cassava.
Caguayo – The lizard.
Caguasa – Wild fruit from Santo Domingo.
Caguani – Lake in the territory of Jaragua, now Lake Enriquillo.
Cáicu – Reef, islet, island, land. Related to the Arabic term for a small boat with a sail.
Caimán – A reptile similar to the crocodile, not found in Puerto Rico.
Caimito – Fruit tree (Chrysophyllum caimito), known for its juicy, star-shaped fruit.
Caney – The large house of indigenous lords and chiefs.
Caniaco – District in Utuado, Puerto Rico.
Canareo – Place in Cuba where Bartolomé de las Casas resided.
Canoa – Boat made by hollowing out a tree trunk, traditionally used by indigenous peoples.
Canóbana – Name of a Boricua cacique, historical figure in Puerto Rico.
Canuy – See Camuy, a geographical feature in Puerto Rico.
Cao – The crow of Cuba, as described by Gundlac.
Caoba – Mahogany tree (Swietenia mahogani).
Caobán – Another term for caoba, a type of tree found in La Española.
Caoba – A type of tree known for its hard and high-quality wood, highly valued in carpentry and construction.
Caobana – The cedar tree, with varieties known in Puerto Rico as male and female.
Caoyuco – A river in Puerto Rico noted for its historical significance.
Caonao – River in Cuba.
Caoniya – District in Utuado, Puerto Rico, also found in Aybonito and Juana Díaz.
Caonabó – Sovereign cacique of Maguana, a significant indigenous leader.
Capá – Tree species in Puerto Rico, a corruption of the word “cabs.”
Caparra – Name of the first Spanish settlement in Puerto Rico, established in 1508.
Caracuri – Nose jewel, as noted in historical texts.
Carey – Species of turtle, specifically the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).
Careybano – According to Las Casas, a port and indigenous population in Hispaniola near the province of Xaragua.
Caribe – Term used by Oviedo to denote bravery or boldness, referring to certain indigenous tribes known for their fierceness.
Carib – Name mistakenly applied to Puerto Rico by early chroniclers, though the indigenous name of the island is Boriquén.
Cari – Name given to the island of Trinidad on maps to illustrate the voyages of Sir Walter Raleigh.
Caricaboa – District in Utuado, Puerto Rico.
Caribata – Region of the Marien chiefdom in Haiti.
Caona – Gold, as noted by Pedro Mártir.
Catey – A species of parrot known as a parakeet and a type of Dominican palm tree.
Caráira – A predatory bird from Cuba, almost the size of a turkey vulture.
Casabe – Indigenous bread made from the flour of bitter cassava.
Casey – District in Añasco, Puerto Rico.
Catibia – Grated and pressed cassava, after the juice has been extracted.
Cayaqua – Tributary river of the Loiza in Puerto Rico, flows through Hato Grande.
Cauyo – River in Puerto Rico where rebelling Indians killed Cristóbal de Sotomayor; now known as Yauco.
Caya – Tree from Santo Domingo.
Cayaguayo – Region in Cuba, as mentioned by the conqueror Velázquez in 1514.
Cayama – Wading bird from Cuba.
Cayaya – Bush.
Cayabo – District in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico, mistakenly called Callabo.
Cayacoa – Sovereign cacique of Higüey. Upon his death, his widow married a Spaniard after converting to Christianity.
Cayajabo – Reddish maté.
Cayaqua – Districts in Hato Grande and San Sebastián, Puerto Rico.
Cayey – Town in Puerto Rico named after the nearby Cayey Mountain range.
Cayguani – Territory near Xaragua in Hispaniola, according to Las Casas.
Cayniabón – Current Loiza River and the settlement of the cacique Canóbana in Puerto Rico.
Camin – Beautiful river descending from the mountains in Haiti, known to the indigenous as camin.
Cayuco – Similar to a canoe, a small narrow boat carved from a single tree trunk, still used in the Caribbean.
Ceiba – Tree species (Ceiba pentandra) and a town in Puerto Rico.
Cemi – See Zemí, a term related to Taíno religious practices.
Ciales – Town in Puerto Scotia, wrongly believed to have an indigenous origin; named after General Lacy.
Cicheo – Name given by the Indians to the current islet Desecheo, west of Puerto Rico.
Cibuco – River in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, originally called Cebuco.
Ciguayo – Name of a large tribal group in Hispaniola, occupying a vast territory.
Ciguay – Main settlement of the Ciguayo people.
Cibao – Region in the Maguana chiefdom of Santo Domingo, known for its abundance of stones.
Ciba – Stone, a term used to describe various items in trade.
Coalibina – Current Culebrinas River in Aguada, Puerto Rico.
Corigüex – River in the western part of Puerto Rico, later called Rosario River.
Coamo – Town and river in Puerto Rico, sometimes written as Cuamo.
Conuco – Term for a farm plot, particularly for growing yuca, according to indigenous language.
Coaguateie – Wild plant found in Santo Domingo.
Cori – A type of fruit from Puerto Rico, also known as curi, considered healthy and delicate.
Cayo – See Cáicu.
Cajui – Fruit tree, now known as Pajú (Anacardium occidentale).
Coa – Hardened stick used by indigenous people for digging and planting.
Coco – Misunderstood as an indigenous term by some scholars; actually a type of palm introduced to Puerto Rico in 1549.
Cobo – Sea snail.
Cohoba – Tobacco powder and the ceremonial act of consuming it to achieve intoxication.
Cocuyo – Phosphorescent insect, a type of firefly.
Colibrí – Small, agile bird capable of flying in multiple directions with rapid wing movement.
Conconi – Insect from Manzanillo.
Corojo – Type of palm tree (Cocos crispa).
Corasi – Type of mosquito.
Corúa – Water bird similar to a duck, migrates to the Antilles from Florida and Mexico.
Cosuba – The husk that covers a corn kernel.
Corohai – Location in the Maguana chiefdom.
Cotubanami – Cacique of Higüey in Santo Domingo.
Cotuy – District of San Germán in Puerto Rico.
Cotui – Town in the Magua chiefdom noted by Las Casas.
Copey – See Cupey, a tree known for its tar-like fruit.
Coki – A species of frog in Puerto Rico, noted for its distinctive nighttime call.
Covares – Incorrectly described as a type of tall palm in Puerto Rico; actually a type of fruit used in crafts.
Cú – Worship place dedicated to indigenous gods.
Cuamo – See Coamo. Historical variations in the spelling and pronunciation of the name.
Cuaba – Tree in Cuba (Amyris balsamifera) and a region in Santo Domingo.
Cuácara – Region in the Dominican province of La Vega.
Cuaja – River in Santo Domingo, a tributary of the Camú.
Cuavo – River in Santo Domingo, a tributary of the Jaina.
Cuba – The largest island in the Antillean archipelago, its name possibly meaning “great place.”
Cubanacán – Central region of Cuba.
Cubao – Population of the Magua chiefdom; also used by the indigenous people of Hispaniola.
Cucubano – Phosphorescent insect, similar to a firefly, native to Puerto Rico.
Ciüsa – Paddle or spatula used for flipping casabe bread while cooking.
Curí – See Cori.
Cupey – Tree (Clusia rosea) used for writing on its leaves with a sharp object.
Curricán – Fishing line; not an indigenous term, but derived from Spanish.
Curujey – Parasitic plant.
Curía – Medicinal herb, also a name of a ravine in Río Piedras.
Curazao – One of the islands in the Antillean archipelago, originally called Curisao.
Cubui – District of Loiza in Puerto Rico.
Cueyba – Region in Cuba as mentioned in a letter from Velázquez in 1514.

Taino Words Starting with Letter D

Daca – “I” or “me.” According to Las Casas, this term means “I” in the indigenous language.
Dagame – A tree species found in Cuba.
Daguao – District of La Ceiba, Puerto Rico. A historical settlement founded by Johan Enriquez under the orders of the Viceroy Don Diego Colón, later destroyed by the Caribs of Barlovento.
Demajagua – District in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, a corruption of the word “Majagua.”
Dagiiey – District in Añasco, Puerto Rico.
Daiabón – Place in the chiefdom of Marien. Documented by Las Casas and Oviedo as “dahabon.”
Dajao – A river fish; also a district in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Chroniclers wrote it as “dahao.”
Dantía – Refers to a small island off the southern coast of Puerto Rico, named for a type of animal resembling a rabbit found there, believed to be a corruption of “jutia.”
Datijao – Term reported by Oviedo as meaning “as one who names oneself.” Believed to be a corruption of “guaitiao,” meaning “friend.”
Dajlli – The plant known as “dagullla.”
Desecheo – Islet west of Puerto Rico. Described by Oviedo as “Cicheo,” which is believed to mean “high land” in the indigenous language.
Diacanán – Variety of cassava praised by Oviedo as the best for producing bread.
Diaiaca – Freshwater fish. Las Casas noted it as “diahaca,” a corruption of “biaiaca.”
Diahutia – See Yautia.
Dita – Not an indigenous term. Refers to a half gourd used variously in Puerto Rico. Originally used to hold money and jewelry, evolving from its use to store tax money into a general term for such containers.
Dicayagua – Mentioned by Las Casas as another stream where gold was found, called “Dicaya-gua.”
Damuji – River in Santa Clara, flowing into the port of Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Dayquiri – Mining area in Santiago de Cuba.
Diumba – A dance of the indigenous people of the Dominican Republic, as described by Dominican writers Guridi and Pérez.
Donguey – The Puerto Rican sarsaparilla (Smilax pseudochina).
Dlley – River in Yauco and a district in San Germán, Puerto Rico.
Dujo – Symbolic stone or wooden seat. Chroniclers mention that the indigenous people of Camagüey greeted Columbus’s representatives with great respect, seating them on “dujos” and venerating them as celestial beings.

Taino Words Starting with Letter G

Gua – An indigenous Taino root primarily used as a prefix and suffix meaning “the” or “of.” Examples include “Guacanagari,” “Guarionex,” and “Guatiguani” for rulers, and “Guaorabo,” “Guamani,” “Guaynabo” for rivers.
Guaba – River running through Cibao in Santo Domingo; also a tree in Puerto Rico (inga vera).
Guabá – A species of large, hairy spider in Puerto Rico, known for its painful bite which can cause swelling and fever.
Guababo – Haitian cacique.
Guabanisex – Haitian stone Zemí believed to induce hurricanes.
Guabasa – Mythical fruit believed by the Taino to feed the dead.
Guabairo – Cuban bird.
Guabate – District and river in Cayey, Puerto Rico, tributary of the Toa River.
Guabina – Freshwater fish, described by Las Casas.
Guabiniquinax – Small animal found by the conquerors in Haiti and Cuba, described variously as a type of hutia or a dog-like creature.
Guaca – Means “part” or “region” in Taino, also used to denote proximity.
Guacabo – Boricua cacique near the river Cibuco, entrusted to Juan Cerón by Diego Colón in 1509.
Guacabina – Provision for travel, according to Pichardo.
Guacaica – Bird from Cuba and Santo Domingo.
Guacamayo – Climbing bird; also a river in Santo Domingo, tributary of the Camú and the Yaque.
Guacacoa – Tree with textile fiber.
Guacara – Lie.
Guacal – Word of Aztec origin meaning “cord.”
Guacanagari – Haitian cacique who was the first to interact with Columbus and assisted him during the shipwreck of the Santa Maria.
Guacayarima – Region of the Xaragua chiefdom.
Guacarayca – A variety of sweet potato, according to Oviedo.
Guacanayabo – Region in Cuba, near Bayamo (1514).
Guacio – District of San Sebastián and river tributary of Añasco in Puerto Rico, should be written Guasio.
Guaco – Medicinal plant (Mikania guaco); river in the Dominican Republic, tributary of the Yaque del Norte.
Guaconax – Tree used by the indigenous for making torches for night fishing, burns well.
Guachinango – Word of Aztec origin.
Guaguasi – Tree (Laetia apetala).
Guagüey – Tree mentioned by Oviedo.
Guagüí – A type of malanga (Arum).
Guaguao – The hot, spicy pepper (Capsicum).
Guajataca – District and river between Quebradillas and Isabela in Puerto Rico, was a settlement of the cacique Mabodamaca.
Guajaba – Region of the Marien chiefdom where the Spanish founded the town of Lares de Guahaba.
Guajey – Musical instrument, now known as güiro.
Guagua – According to Pichardo and Bachiller y Morales, an indigenous word; in Quechua, huá-huá means “child.”
Guajiro – Originally from the Costa Firme, now applies to Cuban peasants; the name persists in the Guajira peninsula.
Guajoti – Equivalent to “you” in Taino, Las Casas notes it as quaoxeri. Guaitiao means “friend.”
Guainabo – Town in Puerto Rico, river tributary of Bayamón; should be written Guaynabo.
Guaicán – Small fish used by indigenous people for catching turtles.
Guali – Means “son” in Taino, from a phrase noted by Fray Román Pane.
Guamá – Fruit tree (Inga laurina); also a Haitian cacique.
Guamo – Trumpet or horn made from a conch, still used in Puerto Rico to signal rising river levels.
Guamani – Boricua cacique, his settlement was in Guayama; also a district and river in Puerto Rico.
Guami – Lord.
Guamikeni – Lord of land and water, a title given to Christopher Columbus by the Haitians.
Guana – Tree in Cuba (Pichardo).
Guanabá – Bird in Cuba (Pichardo).
Guanábana – Fruit tree and its fruit (Annona muricata).
Guanabacoa – Place in Cuba, interpreted by Bachiller y Morales as meaning “place of many waters,” though it likely means “site of tall palms.”
Guanabo – Small island in the Xaragua chiefdom, Haiti, known by the indigenous as Guanabo, now called Gonaive.
Guanajibo – River running through Sabana Grande, San Germán, and Hormigueros in Puerto Rico, noted in 1582 by Santa Clara as Guanaybo.
Guanabina – Fruit of the corozo palm.
Guanajo – Common turkey, native to America, described by Oviedo as “quanaxa,” also known as the land hen.
Guanana – Type of goose that migrates from the North to Cuba, also refers to a yellow mate.
Guananagax – Variety of sweet potato described by Oviedo.
Guanahani – Indigenous name for the first island Columbus landed on, now known as San Salvador.
Guanahumá – River descending from Cibao in Santo Domingo, according to Las Casas.
Guaní – The hummingbird or sunsun of Cuba (Pichardo).
Guánica – Lagoon and port in southern Puerto Rico; also a district of Yauco.
Guanía – Bush of Santo Domingo (Guania Domingensis).
Guaniguanico – Place in Cuba where Cortés reviewed his fleet before heading to explore and settle lands seen by Grijalba, now known as Cape San Antonio.
Guanín – Gold piece worn around the neck by principal Indians, described by Las Casah as a precious jewel and by Pedro Mártir as “guanines.”
Guanimá – Now called Eleuthera Island.
Guanaja – Island formerly called San Juan Evangelista by Columbus, now known as Isla de Pinos.
Guanina – Wild herb, known as smelly (Cassia occidentalis).
Guaniquí – Vine in Cuba (Bachiller y Morales).
Guano – Tree (Bombax pyramidale) known for its soft wood fiber, used in making hats in England and for stuffing pillows in Puerto Rico.
Guao – Shrub (Comocladia angulosa), its milky sap is poisonous and used by the indigenous to poison arrows.
Guaora – Haitian cacique.
Guaorabo – Current river Grande de Añasco in Puerto Rico, notorious for an event where the indigenous tested the mortality of Spanish invaders by drowning a young Spaniard.
Guanuma – River in Santo Domingo, tributary of the Ozama.
Guaoxeri – Taino word for “lord,” denoting distinction.
Guaonico – District of Utuado in Puerto Rico.
Guara – Chestnut tree of Santo Domingo (Cupania americana), also found in Puerto Rico.
Guaraca – Oviedo refers to a variety of sweet potatoes by this name; also a Boricua cacique.
Guaraguano – Place in the Maguana chiefdom, Santo Domingo.
Guaraquao – Bird of prey; also a district in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and a type of tree (Guarea swartzii).
Guarana – Wild plant (Hibiscus guarana).
Guariao – Large bird from Cuba (Pichardo).
Guarico – Place and port in Haiti, a corruption of Guarique.
Guarionex – Sovereign cacique of Magua in Santo Domingo, and owner of Otoao in Puerto Rico, both involved in the 1511 rebellion against the Spanish.
Guarique – Mountain range in Haiti, forming the port of Navidad where the Spanish first camped in the Americas.
Guariquitén – A bed made of sticks and palm leaves used by the indigenous to collect grated yuca.
Guarocuya – Haitian cacique also known as Enriquillo, famous for making peace with Emperor Charles V; subject of a historical novel by José de J. Galván.
Guasa – Fish in Cuba (Pichardo).
Guasabacoa – Wild plant (Desmodium axillare), commonly called zarzabacoa in Puerto Rico.
Guasábara – Guerrilla warfare of the indigenous people; an unexpected attack or battle, according to Varas Machuca and Oviedo.
Guásima – Medicinal tree (Guazuma ulmifolia), used by the indigenous to create fire.
Guata – Lie.
Guataca – Gourd vessel; commonly corrupted as Jataca.
Guatiguaná – Haitian cacique, the first to lead a rebellion against the Spanish in 1495, dragging other caciques into the conflict.
Guatibirí – The grey kingbird.
Guatini – The Cuban tody (Pichardo).
Guatapaná – River in Santo Domingo, now called Masacre; also a tree species in Cuba (Pichardo).
Guay – Exclamation of pain, admiration, or attention.
Guaybana – Boricua cacique, brother and successor to Agüeybana, led the 1511 uprising against the Spanish.
Guayo – Grater made from a yagua palm board, used to grate cassava for making casabe bread; also a river in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico.
Guayanés – District, river, and seaport in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, where Juan Ponce de León first found gold in 1508.
Guayaney – Boricua cacique of Yabucoa, entrusted to Juan Ponce de Leon in 1509.
Guayama – Town and river in Puerto Rico, means “The big place.”
Guayaba – Fruit of the guava tree (Psidium guajava).
Guayabacán – Tree (Myrica divaricata).
Guayacán – Medicinal tree, used by the early settlers to treat syphilis. Known as holy wood, its bark was boiled for therapeutic uses.
Guayamuco – River in Santo Domingo.
Guayayuco – River in the territory of Xaragua.
Guayaro – Indigenous name for certain roots found in the mountains.
Guayica – Wild plant.
Guaynia – Town and river in the territory of Guayanilla, Puerto Rico. Named after the cacique Agüeybana.
Guaynilla – Town and river in Puerto Rico, derived from Guaynia.
Güey – The sun.
Güiro – Musical instrument made from a gourd, also known as the “cori” in Cuba and Santo Domingo.
Güira – Tree (Crescentia cujete) whose fruit is used to make various utensils.
Guajana – Wild cane used in Puerto Rico to make kites and cages.
Güiro – Vine that produces a long gourd used to make a musical instrument by etching lines on its dried shell and scraping them with a stick.
Guiabara – Tree called “uvero” by the Christians.
Gurabo – Town and river in Puerto Rico; also a river in Santo Domingo.
Guanime – Cornmeal dumplings; today made from plantains.
Guarapo – Beverage made from sugarcane, term of Quechua origin, “huarapu.”

Taino Words Starting with Letter H

Hanp;han (janp;jan) – “Yes.”
Haba – Referred to by Oviedo as “havas,” which are baskets woven from bijao leaves, used for storing hammocks.
Habana – A place in Cuba, initially home to the cacique Yaguacayo. The name was also given to the mouth of the Toa River by the Boricuas, explored by Juan Ponce de León in 1508. It means “the great place.”
Hamí – A stream near Lares de Guahaba in Hispaniola, according to Las Casas.
Haití – The original name of Hispaniola, now shared by the country that occupies the western part of the island. It means “high land.”
Hamaca – Described by Las Casas as beds similar to a sling, woven from cotton and used for sleeping.
Habacoa – Now called Bary, one of the Lucayan Islands.
Haübey – A cacique from Guahaba in Santo Domingo who moved to Cuba and encouraged the Siboneyes to resist the conquistadors. He was captured and burned alive.
Hatibonico – According to Las Casas, it means “Hatibonico” in the indigenous language. There are also rivers in Cuba with this name, derived from Jatibonicu, and related to the town name Aybonito in Puerto Rico.
Hatiey – A location in the chiefdom of Marien in Santo Domingo.
Hanigajia – A place in the chiefdom of Xaragua.
Henequén – A plant from the agave family, known in Spanish as “pita.” Variations of the name include heniquén and jeniquén.
Hico (Jico) – See Jico.
Higüey – The fifth and last chiefdom of Santo Domingo, located in the eastern and southeastern part of the island. It was subdivided into several populations and was watered by numerous rivers.
Higuamota – Daughter of the cacique Caonabó and Anacaona; married a Spaniard named Guevara, who died in prison during a revolt led by Roldán.
Higua – Mountain in the Sierra de San José de las Matas in Santo Domingo.
Higüera – Tree (Crescentia cujete), with another variety known as Crescentia cucurbitina. Known as jigüero for the tree and jigüera for the fruit in Puerto Rico, güira in Cuba, totumo and totuma in Venezuela.
Higuanamá – Elderly cacica of Higüey.
Higuana – Large lizard hunted by the indigenous for food, referred to by various names including Yguana, Yuana, and Higuana.
Hicaco – Fruit bush (Chrisobalanus icaco), also called jicaco.
Hicotea – See Jicotea.
Hequití – “One.” The indigenous counting system, as described by Las Casas, went up to twenty using terms for numbers up to ten and fingers for ten to twenty.
Higuaca – The parrot, also known as papagayo.
Haniquayagua – A province in Hispaniola near Baoruco, stretching 25 leagues long and 12 to 15 leagues wide.
Hobo – Jobo tree, fruit-bearing tree (Spondias lutea).
Holguín – Town in Cuba, derived from indigenous words possibly related to “guanin” (gold) or “yagüín” (place of güines). The prefix “hol” or “jol” is not indigenous.
Humacao – Town and river in Puerto Rico, originally called Jumacao by Santa Clara and Macao by Oviedo.
Humiri – Resinous tree (Humiri balsamifera).
Hupia – The soul or spirit, associated with night phantoms feared by the indigenous, as described by Las Casas.
Hoconuco – District of San Germain in Puerto Rico.
Hutía – A rodent described by Oviedo, known in the indigenous language as jutia.
Huracán – Storm or evil spirit. The term “huracán” was used by the indigenous of Hispaniola for severe storms, similar to the Greek “typhoons.” The term has variations such as “juracán” and “yuracán” indicating its indigenous origin and pronunciation.

Taino Words Starting with Letter I

Inabón – A river in Puerto Rico, a tributary of the Jacaguas River.
Itabo – River in Santo Domingo, which flows into the southern part of the island.
Imotonex – Haitian cacique, entrusted to Hernando de Aicántara in the 1514 Spanish repartimiento (division of labor and land) in Hispaniola.
Iguanamá – Haitian cacica, given the Spanish name Isabel de Iguanamá when entrusted to Luis García de Mohedas in 1514.
Ibonao – Town in Santo Domingo, established in 1514.
Inamoca – Haitian cacique, entrusted to Miguel de Pasamonte in the 1514 repartimiento.
Inagua – Known as Grande Inagua, an island located 15 leagues from Cape Maisi in Cuba. Believed by Columbus’ companions to be the island referred to by the natives when they mentioned “Babeque.”
Iwana – Refers to a genus of lizards, commonly known as iguanas, which are typical of tropical areas.

Taino Words Starting with Letter J

Jaba – A type of basket used to transport hammocks and other items, carried on the shoulder using a stick. See “haba” for more context.
Jabacoa – Place in Cuba. Contrary to what some sources state, Bachiller y Morales notes there is no such river in Puerto Rico. Arecibo River was historically called “Abacoa,” without a “j.”
Jácana – A district in both Yauco and Yabucoa, Puerto Rico.
Jacaboa – District and river in Patillas, Puerto Rico.
Jacaguas – River in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico, historically marking the southern boundary of the San Juan district, opposite the San Germán district. Today, it divides the boundaries between Coamo and Guayama.
Jagua – A fruit tree known in Venezuela as “caruto” and elsewhere in South America as Genipa (Genipa americana). The juice of its fruit turns into a black ink, historically used by indigenous peoples for body painting and writing.
Jagüey – Freshwater reservoir. Also a name for districts in Aguada and Rincón, Puerto Rico. The term is also associated with the tree species Ficus laurifolia.
Jagual – Area in the Arecibo valley, Puerto Rico.
Jáiba – Freshwater crab. Las Casas uses the spelling “xayba.”
Jaina – Area and river in Santo Domingo. The Jaina gold mines were among the first exploited in the New World.
Jaibón – River in Santo Domingo, a tributary of the Yaque del Norte.
Jabiya – Tree producing emetic nuts (Hura crepitans).
Jamayca – Island first encountered south of Cuba by Columbus, who named it Santiago. The indigenous name, Jamayca, means “large place with water.”
Jan-jan – “Yes.”
Jarabacoa – Mountainous area in the Cibao region of Santo Domingo, noted for its pine forests.
Jaragua – One of the major chiefdoms in Santo Domingo, ruled by Bohechío. It included several territories and was known for its cultural significance.
Jaruco – Port in Cuba. Noted by Bernal Díaz del Castillo in his account of the conquest of New Spain.
Jaimiqui – Tree species in Cuba (Achras).
Jataca – Vessel made from a gourd in Puerto Rico. A corruption of “Guataca.”
Jatibonicu – See “Hatibonico.”
Jauca – District and river in Utuado, Puerto Rico.
Jayuya – Populated area in the fields of Utuado, Puerto Rico, a corruption of “Guayuya.”
Jején – Small mosquito whose bite causes irritation. Las Casas writes “xexén.”
Jeniquén – A variety of the agave plant.
Jiba – Forest or bush. The term “Jibara” refers to a rural, rustic individual in Puerto Rico, derived from “jiba” (mountain) and “ro” (man).
Jibe – Indigenous sieve used in the preparation of cassava flour, as described by Las Casas.
Jicaco – See “Hicaco.”
Jico – The cord or rope used to support a hammock.
Jicotea – Freshwater turtle, known historically as “hycotea” by Las Casas and “hicotea” by Oviedo.
Jicaya – River in the Magua region of Haiti.
Jibiría – The watermelon.
Jigüera – See “Higuera.”
Jiquima – Leguminous vine.
Jiqullete – Wild anise (Indigofera argentea).
Jiguani – Place in Cuba, meaning “high river”; not “River of the Angel” as some sources claim.
Jimagua – Twin.
Jima – River in the Magua territory of Haiti.
Jicara – The term is of Mexican origin, from “Xicatli.”
Jipato – Incorrectly derived from “hipa” or “xipa.” It comes from “hepatico,” related to liver diseases, and used to describe people with a yellowish complexion.
Jobo – Fruit tree (Spondias lutea), variously spelled as “hobo” by Oviedo and “hovo” by Las Casas.
Jobabo – River in Puerto Principe, Cuba
locabunagus Maorocon – The protector god of Haiti, often misrecorded due to translation errors. Las Casas records a slightly different name.
Jobobaba – According to Pane, a cave held sacred by Haitians, believed to be where the sun and moon originated.
Josibi – Refers to the “mute dog” found in the Antilles, which had no native canines. Called “guabiniquinax” by the indigenous people.
Jocuma – Wild tree (Bunelia salicifolia).
Jubo – Snake.
Jüey – Mangrove crab.
Jutía – A small mammal found by the Spaniards in the Greater Antilles, similar to a large rat or small rabbit, varies by region and possibly extinct in some areas.

Taino Words Starting with Letter L

Lerén – According to Oviedo, “lerén” is a fruit that grows on a plant cultivated by the indigenous peoples. Las Casas refers to it as “leren,” while Pichardo incorrectly notes it as “llerén.” Bachiller y Morales does not mention the term as an indigenous word used in Cuba. The term might also be spelled as “lirén” or “yerén” and corresponds to the plant Maranta arundinacea.
Libón – A river in Santo Domingo. The term “Lucayos” is mentioned, which is a corruption of “Yucayos.”
Luquillo – The highest mountain in Puerto Rico, corrupted from “Yukiyu.” Santa Clara (1582) mentions that it is called “Loquillo” because the Spanish named it after a local indigenous chief who often took refuge there and was known for rebelling against the Christians.
Luquo – Written by the French as “Louquo.” This is a corruption of “Yukú,” a contraction of “Yukajú,” the benevolent spirit in Haitian belief.

Taino Words Starting with Letter M

Ma – An indigenous root meaning “large, extensive.”
Mabi – Tree (Colubrina reclinata) whose leaves are used in Puerto Rico to make a refreshing, tonic beverage, akin to homemade beer.
Maboa – Tree (Cameraria latifolia).
Mabú – District in Humacao, Puerto Rico.
Maboya – Evil spirit.
Mabuya – See Maboya.
Mabodamaca – Boricua cacique who participated in the 1511 uprising alongside Guaybana, Guarionex, and Urayoán. He was based in Guaiataca and was confronted by Captain Diego de Salazar, who defeated him, killing 150 of his men.
Mabiya – District and river in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico; now corrupted to “Mavilla.”
Macabón – River in Santo Domingo, a tributary of the Yaque del Norte.
Macabi – Fish known for having many bones.
Mabó – Boricua cacique from Guaynabo, whose plot of land, including 1,090 mounds of yuca and sweet potatoes, was sold by Juan Ponce de León in 1510.
Macabuca – Expression meaning “What do I care?”
Macagua – Tree species from Cuba (Pichardo).
Macao – Large indigenous settlement in Hispaniola mentioned by Las Casas. Also refers to a point in eastern Santo Domingo and a cacique from Jumacao, which Oviedo refers to as the Humacao River.
Macana – Wooden weapon used by indigenous peoples, similar to a large club or cudgel. Its etymology is debated but likely derives from the indigenous roots “ma” and “cana.”
Macaná – District in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, and a nearby creek.
Macacaguaro – Wild plant.
Macaguanigua – River in Baracoa, Cuba, where Hernán Cortés nearly drowned while escaping from the ship where Governor Diego Velázquez had imprisoned him.
Macuaque – River tributary to the Macorix in Santo Domingo.
Macori – Wild tree (Cupania oppositifolia).
Macorix – Port, river, and region in Santo Domingo.
Macumara – Region in western Santo Domingo.
Maga – Tree used in cabinetry (Thespesia grandiflora), erroneously noted by Bachiller y Morales as “Boriquén mahogany.” In Puerto Rico, mahogany has been recently imported from Santo Domingo.
Magua – A cacicazgo in Haiti ruled by Guarionex, comprising 21 departments with respective chiefs. It means “large plain.”
Maguayo – District in Dorado, Puerto Rico.
Maguaca – River in Santo Domingo, a tributary of the Yaque del Norte.
Macacuya – Wild tree.
Maguana – One of the five chiefdoms of Haiti, ruled by Caonabó. It consisted of 21 departments, each with its own sub-chief. The name suggests a “smaller plain.”
Maguey – Textile plant (Agave americana), used by indigenous peoples for making ropes.
Magüey – Drum made from hollowed wood. Used by indigenous peoples to accompany songs and dances.
Maguacana – Wild plant.
Maisí – Maize; called “mahiz” by some old writers. It’s a staple grain similar to wheat, traditionally roasted or made into flatbreads called arepas by natives.
Mahite – See Buticaco.
Majá – Large snake found in Cuba.
Majagua – Tree (Paritium tiliaceum) used for its textile-like bark in traditional cord-making. Also a district and river in Puerto Rico associated with a chiefdom that sold yuca and sweet potato lands in a public auction in 1510.
Maireni – A subordinate chieftain in Haiti, likely a transcription error.
Mamey – Fruit tree (Mammea americana). Known for wild fruits on Hispaniola, considered one of the best in the world by Las Casas.
Majúbiatibirí – Haitian cacique, friend of Friar Román Pane.
Majibacoa – Wild plant.
Malanga – Plant of African origin, similar to yam.
Mambí – Term not of indigenous origin, applied to insurgents in Cuba and Santo Domingo.
Ma na – River tributaryto the Jaina in Santo Domingo.
Manaca – Royal palm (Roystonea regia), noted for its stature and beauty, used by the indigenous for various purposes.
Maná – District in Corozal, Puerto Rico.
Manacle – Dominican palm, corruption of manaca.
Manacua – Region in western Santo Domingo.
Manaya – A stone axe. Pedro Mártir notes, “they cut everything with certain very hard and sharp river stones.” This implies the indigenous people used stone to create tools, as they did not have iron.
Manajü – Wild tree (Garcinia morelia).
Mani – (Arachis hypogaea) Pichardo suggests this plant and its name originated from the Bay of Guinea. Las Casas mentions it as a fruit cultivated and grown from the soil. Oviedo calls it a fruit known to the indigenous people of Hispaniola, which the Mexicans called “cacahuetl,” leading to the Spanish term “cacahuete” (peanut).
Manati – Town and river in Puerto Rico. Also refers to the sea creature, manatee, which was named by the indigenous people. Oviedo mistakenly thought the name derived from the creature having “hands” near its head.
Managüís – Packing made from yagua (palm bark) used to transport cassava bread.
Manigua – Thick forest or underbrush.
Manioca – Known to the indigenous people of Tierra Firme as “yucubia,” from which cassava (yuca) is derived. The term “manioca” persists today in the scientific name of the plant, although it has also been called “manio” and “mandioca.”
Manatuabón – River in Maunabo, Puerto Rico. First explored by Juan Ponce de León in 1508, who obtained the first gold samples from this river.
Maniquatex – Haitian cacique, allocated to Miguel Pérez de Almazán in the 1514 Spanish repartimiento (allocation) of the Hispaniola.
Manicatoex – Name of two Haitian caciques; one was the brother of Caonabó, who rebelled against the Spaniards during Caonabó’s imprisonment. The other was allocated to Juan Fernández de Guadalupe in the 1514 repartimiento.
Manicarao – According to Gomara, during the repartimiento of Indians in Cuba, Diego Velázquez gave Hernán Cortés the Indians from Manicarao.
Manibari – Purslane (Portulaca parviflora). Las Casas recalls this name used by the indigenous people for purslane.
Maniey – An Indian territory in Hispaniola.
Maorocotí – A polysynthetic word encompassing the attributes of the Haitian deity, discussed in a chapter on the religion of the Borinquen people, which dissects the polysynthesis of this term.

Taino Words Starting with Letter N

Na – An indigenous root word that means “thing” or “I” as a prefix, and often a contraction of bana (great, large) as a suffix.
Naba – A port in Cuba mentioned by Columbus during his first voyage.
Nabori – Means “man of the tribe,” “serf,” or “servant.” Fray Román Pane notes that an indigenous man named Juan (originally Guaticaba) used the phrase “Dios naboríadaca,” meaning “I am a servant of God.”
Nacán – Means “center” or “middle.”
Nagua – A type of cotton skirt worn by married indigenous women. Fernando Colón and Oviedo mention that this garment covered women from the waist to the mid-calf or ankles, depending on their social status.
Naiboa – The poisonous juice from grated bitter cassava. It is crucial not to confuse this term with anaiboa.
Naguabo – A town and river in Puerto Rico.
Naje – According to Oviedo, this refers to paddles used by indigenous people in their canoes.
Najasa – A location, river, and mountain in Prince’s Port, Cuba. Sometimes mistakenly written as Najaza.
Najesi – A tree from Baracoa, Cuba, as recorded by Pichardo.
Naraqua – Known as the bay of Enriquillo in Santo Domingo.
Neiba – A region and river in Maguana, written as Neyba by Las Casas.
Ni – An indigenous root word for “water.”
Nigua – A type of flea (Pulex penetrans) noted by Las Casas as a pest that troubled the Spanish in the early days. Also, a river in Santo Domingo.
Nibajo – A river in the Dominican Republic, tributary of the Yaque River.
Nibagua – A Haitian cacique, allocated to Juan de Alburquerque in 1514 during the repartition of indigenous peoples in Hispaniola.
Nijagua – A location in Santo Domingo, currently known as Nigagua.
Niti – A place in the territory of Maguana.
Nizao – A river and mountain range in Santo Domingo, correctly spelled as Nisao.
Nitabo – A freshwater lagoon.
Nitayno – According to Pedro Mártir, a term used to describe nobles or leaders among indigenous societies, who had authority similar to viceroys or judges. Las Casas notes they were respected as nobility and had jurisdiction over others.
Nipe – A bay in Cuba, originally known as Nibi.
Nonum – According to Bachiller y Morales, the term for the moon in the Carib language; believed to be ca raya in the indigenous language.
Nucay – A word noted in Columbus’s Diary, indicating “gold,” which was called caona in the indigenous Antillean language.
Nubaga – According to Oviedo, a type of cassava.

Taino Words Starting with Letter O

O – An indigenous root word meaning “mountain.”
Ocoa – Refers to a place, river, and bay located in the southern part of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Orocobix – A Boricua (Puerto Rican) cacique who was under the encomienda of Don Diego Colón. His community was situated in the area known as Jatibonicu. The name Orocobix is also associated with a barrio and river in Barros, Puerto Rico.
Otoao – The current region of Utuado in Puerto Rico, named after the cacique Guarionex. The name breaks down into elements denoting high mountains: “O” for mountain, “t” for high, “ao” for place.
Onicajinax – A river in Cuba, referenced by Gomara as Onicaxinal. Bachiller y Morales suggests it might be modern-day Mayabeque, where the conquistador Velázquez initially established Havana.
Ozama – A river in Santo Domingo, originally spelled Osama.
Osama – Means “hear,” “listen,” or “pay attention.” Las Casas documents an indigenous phrase: “Osama, guaoxeri, guarinquén, cano yari,” which translates to “listen, lord, come see the place of gold.”
Ocamaniri – Refers to the Round Island.
Oribá – Identifies the island of Aruba.
Ojuná – Known as Rum Cay today, which Columbus named Santa Maria de la Concepción.

Taino Words Starting with Letter P

Pagaya – Possibly the tree or object known as naie or canalete, according to Bachiller y Morales.
Papa – This term for potato comes from the Andean regions of South America. Noted explorers like Gomara and Cieza found it called by this name in various parts of the continent.
Papaya – The fruit of the papaya tree (Carica papaya), which was introduced to the Antilles from the nearby American continent.
Papagayo – Refers to a type of parrot, not originally an indigenous word but derived from Arabic ‘babagi’. In indigenous languages, parrots were referred to as ‘higuacas’ and smaller ones as ‘xaxabís’.
Pauxí – Known as pajull in Cuba, marahón in Venezuela, and cajui in some regions (Anacardium occidentale).
Paraca – Might refer to a type of parrot, possibly what some call the xaxabi, although the term paraca isn’t widely recognized.
Paira – An indigenous term for the bow used to shoot arrows, suggested to be properly spelled as baira.
Patiya – Known as the watermelon, derived from the Cumanagoto word paita. Now commonly referred to as patilla in Puerto Rico, applied to watermelons and to the town of Patillas.
Payabo – A river in Santo Domingo, also known as Bayabo.
Petate – Not an indigenous term but derived from the Mexican Nahuatl word ‘petlatl’. Used to describe mats made of plant fibers.
Piña – Known as pineapple in English, the word comes from Spanish but was applied to this fruit because its structure resembles a pine cone. Indigenous people referred to different types of pineapples with terms like yayama, boniama, and yayagua.
Piragua – A small fishing canoe, from the Guarani word ‘pira’ meaning fish.
Plátano – The term used in Spanish for banana plants; not originally found in the Americas but introduced from the Canary Islands by the Spanish in 1516. Plátano is derived from the Greek ‘platanos’, indicating the broad leaves of the plant. The indigenous name was banana.
Pitahaya – A fruit-bearing cactus (likely Hylocereus undatus), noted by early chroniclers like Santa Clara. The original word could be bitajaya.

Taino Words Starting with Letter Q

Qué – This Indo-Antillean root signifies “earth” or “land.” For clarity in phonetics, it could be better written as “ké.”
Quemí – A type of small edible animal found in Haiti, larger than the jutia (a type of rodent).
Quiabón – A river in Santo Domingo that flows to the south. The correct name should be “Queniabón.”
Quamá – One of the Turks Islands.
Quisqueya – The name for the eastern region of the island of Hispaniola, now Haiti. It means “place of high lands” in the native language. The components break down as follows: Quis (kis, tic), meaning “high”; que (ké), meaning “earth” or “land”; and ya (yara), meaning “place” or “site.” This etymology reflects the concept of a “great thing” as understood by the indigenous people.
Quimbombó – Known as okra in English, this fruit and the word itself originated from Africa. In Cuba, it’s called “molondrón,” and in Panama, it’s referred to as “naiú” (scientific name: Hibiscus esculentus).
Quisibani – The name historically used for the Yuna River in Santo Domingo, up to the region of Higüey.
Quibicán – A place in Cuba, located within the province of Havana. It is sometimes mistakenly written as “Quivscin.”
Quinigua – A river in Santo Domingo, a tributary of the Yaque del Norte River.

Taino Words Starting with Letter R

Racata – Term used to describe an echo or a repetitive sound. This word captures the idea of reverberation or resonance, applied not only in auditory contexts but also in symbolic ones, such as in literature or poetry to describe situations or emotions that “repeat” or “resonate” in some way.
Raya – Originally from the Taíno language, referring to certain species of flatfish known for the marks on their bodies. The term “raya” is still widely used to identify these marine fish, highlighting their distinctive physical appearance.
Ri – This Indo-Antillean root conveys the idea of value or strength. It is commonly used as an affix or suffix in word formation to emphasize the strength or importance of someone or something in certain proper names or compound terms in languages of Indo-Antillean origin.

Taino Words Starting with Letter S

Sabána – A large expanse of flat land with very few trees. According to Oviedo (book IV, chap. VIII), “The Indians call the plains, hills, or riverbanks without trees ‘savána,’ as I have mentioned elsewhere, for any land that lacks them, whether it has grass or not.” Las Casas notes, “this province has two parts, one of plains and fields, which the Indians called ‘sabanas’.”
Sabaneque – According to a letter from Velázquez in 1515, a region in Cuba on the north coast, 25 leagues from the Caonao River.
Sabicú – Tree in Cuba (Mimosa odorantissima).
Sao – Small savanna.
Saba – One of the Windward Islands, retaining its indigenous name.
Sajes – According to Las Casas, tasty little river fish.
Samaná – Peninsula and bay in the Dominican Republic, on the east of the island.
Sarobey – Cotton.
Saraglley – Wild plant.
Sagua – See Xagua.
Savia – Used to describe the fluid that circulates through the vessels of plants.
Seboruco – Corruption of Sibaorucu. Rocky hills.
Seiba – See Ceiba.
Siba – Stone.
Sibucán – A small bag made from palm filaments for pressing grated cassava, from which casabe is made. Las Casas describes it: “They have a sleeve, which they call ‘sibucán,’ the middle syllable short, made of palm mesh, about a fathom and a half, or a little more, in length, and wide enough to fit an arm; it has a handle at each end, from which it can be hung: this sleeve they fill very full and tight with that dough, and hang it from the tree branch; and through the other handle they insert a pole about two fathoms or a little more in length; and having inserted the end of the pole into a hole in a tree close to the ground, two or three women, or people, sit at the other end of the pole, and sit there an hour or more; and so the dough is pressed and squeezed out.”
Sibuco – See Cibuco.
Siboney – The Indian from Cuba.
Sibaguara – Place in the western part of Santo Domingo.
Sibukeira – The island of Guadeloupe. Pedro Mártir notes it as Carucueria. Oviedo writes Cibuqueira. It was the main dwelling of the Antillean Caribs.
Sipey – Very clayey earth. Clayey mud: sticky clay. Should be sibey.
Sikeo – See Cicheo.
Siguatio – The large island of Abaco.
Sigua – Small snail from the shores.
Setí – Tiny fish, newly hatched, that enter the mouths of some rivers on the north coast of Puerto Rico during the full moons of August, September, and October, such as the Arecibo River. In Cuba, they call them teti, and they enter through the mouth of the Duaba River, west of Baracoa. Las Casas notes: “in the small streams there are tiny fishlets, which in Castile they call ‘pece-rey’ and the Indians ‘teti,’ the last syllable sharp.”
Semi – The tutelary deity of the Indo-Antillean. Las Casas (vol. 5, p. 468) states: “Asking the Indians sometimes, ‘Who is this ‘cemi’ you mention?’, they would reply: ‘He who makes it rain and makes the sun shine and gives us children and the other goods we have.'” The term is noted by chroniclers with a ‘z’ as if the phonetics were cemí. It means ‘lord of the land,’ ze for ké (land), and mi, a contraction of guami (lord).
Susúa – Neighborhood and river in Yauco, Puerto Rico.

Taino Words Starting with Letter T

Tabacán – Mentioned by Oviedo (book VIII, chapter 11) as the sixth and final variety of yuca.
Tabaco – Cigar. Today, it also refers to the plant Nicotiana, the indigenous cohiba.
Tabonuco – Tree that produces an abundance of white resin, used in Puerto Rico, wrapped in yagua to make torches, known by the farmers as jachos (Hedwigia balsamifera). A neighborhood in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.
Taguagua – Gold earring or hoop earring. Las Casas says: “in their language, they called these ear jewels ta-guagua.”
Tagua – Prickly plant (Passiflora foetida).
Tanamá – Butterfly. A neighborhood and river in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. A river in Santo Domingo, tributary of the Quiabón.
Tau-túa – A purgative plant that the indigenous people planted around their huts for purging, according to Las Casas.
Tayno – Good. Dr. Chanca says, “When a boat came ashore to speak with them, saying ‘tayno, tayno,’ which means ‘good.’” Bachiller y Morales generally applies this name to the Indo-Antilleans, as opposed to the Caribes. The insular Caribes came from the continental Caribes; the other indigenous people, earlier than the Caribes in the occupation of the Antillean Archipelago, came from the Aruacas of Tierra Firme; therefore, it is natural and logical to call them the insular Aruacas; and when identifying them say Haitians, Quisqueyans, Ciguayos, Boriqueños, Siboneyes, Xamayquinos, etc., according to the island.
Tayaboa – Neighborhood of Peñuelas and a river in southern Puerto Rico. Erroneously written as Tallaboa. Santa Clara (1582) notes it as Taiaboa.
Tayabacoa – River in Cuba.
Tayote – Appears to come from the Spanish ‘tallo’ (stem); however, the term is of Mexican origin. Bernal Díaz del Castillo, in his True History of the Conquest of New Spain, mentions eating some squash, called ‘ayotes,’ after the battle of Otumba.
Tibisí – Plant.
Tirigüíbi – The sheath of the royal palm bunch that falls to the ground when detached from the palm. It resembles a small yagua and is used by Puerto Rican farmers for various purposes.
Taynabon – According to Oviedo, a river in northern Puerto Rico. It is unclear which current river he was referring to.
Teitoca – Stay still.
Toa – The largest river in Puerto Rico. Today, in the highlands, it is mistakenly called Río de la Plata. Pedro Mártir (Dec. 1, book IX. chapter V) believes that the indigenous people meant ‘mother’ with this word. Pane (chap. IV) suggests it means ‘cloth.’ It seems that children shouting ‘toa, toa’ were asking for water. Toa, contraction of tona, from tonia: that is, give me water. The mother in Indo-Antillean is bibi, and the breast or mammary gland, manati.
Tibe – Neighborhood of Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Ti – Indo-Antillean radical. High, elevated.
Tina – Mountain in the Dominican Republic.
Tinima – River in Cuba.
Tomate – From the Mexican ‘tomatl.’
Turabo – River tributary of the Loiza, in Puerto Rico.
Tocubanamá – See Cotubanama.
Tuna – Water – Fruit plant (Cactus ficus indica). Las Casas (vol. 5, p. 319) says, “On the sea shores, there is a fruit that the Indians called tuna.” Past the Camuy River, in Puerto Rico, began the territory of Tuna, belonging to the Partido de San Germán, according to the old division of the Island. There was once a town in Puerto Rico called San Antonio de la Tuna. The idea of water in this term is encapsulated in tuni-a equivalent to of water, because the radical ni indicates water. The indigenous people, with their polysynthesis, omitted letters and syllables. The word applied to the cactus seems to come from the Arabic tin, fig (Egullaz), although the quote from Las Casas is decisive. The Mexicans called the plant nopalli, from which the Spanish nopal derives.
Turey – The sky. Herrera mistakenly calls turey tin. Chanca and Pedro Mártir (Dec. 1, book 1, chapter IV) explain the term well.
Tureygua – Celestial.
Tubagua – According to Oviedo (book VIII, chapter 11), the fourth variety of yuca.
Tiburón – Las Casas says, “There are in the sea, and also entering the rivers, fish shaped like dogfish, or at least all the body, the head blunt, and the mouth at the right of the belly, with many teeth, which the Indians call sharks.” – See Cajaya.
Turuqueira – Dr. Chanca calls the island Guadalupe thus. See Sibukeira.

Taino Words Starting with Letter U

Uará – You.
Ubi – A vine.
Usabón – River tributary of the Toa, in Puerto Rico.
Umacao – Region of Higüey, in Santo Domingo.
Urayoán – Boricua cacique, who was part of the 1511 uprising against the Spaniards. He resided in Yagoeca. To verify that the Spaniards were mortal, he ordered the young Salcedo to be drowned in the Guaorabo river while being carried on the shoulders of some indigenous people.
Utuado – Town in Puerto Rico. Corruption of Otoao. Oviedo writes it as Otuao. Territory of the Boricua Guarionex.
Uikú – Drink made from fermented cassava. It is believed that the Boricuas would make their cassava beer, similar to how the Indians of the Napo River banks, a tributary of the Amazon, did. (Carlos Wiener. Journey to the River Amazon and to the Andes 1879-1882.) That is, using saliva as a fermentation agent. Cassava thrown into water would be added with some pieces of the same cassava, impregnated with the saliva of young indigenous women, and left to ferment.

Taino Words Starting with Letter V

Vieques – Island to the east of Puerto Rico. Corruption of Bieque. “Bi” means small, and “ké” means land. Small land. Labat mistakenly calls it Boriquén.

Taino Words Starting with Letter X

Xacagua – Referred to by Oviedo and Santa Clara as the Jacagua river of Puerto Rico, which flows into the south of the island. There is also a mountain range by this name.
Xagua – See Jagua. A river in Santo Domingo running through Cibao. Also a place and river in Cuba.
Xamayca – See Jamaica.
Xaübey – Las Casas (vol. 5, p. 259) discusses the island of Mona: “On this side, which we say is rocky, there is no river, and they lack no water, drinking from excellent natural cisterns, which in the language of the Indians are called xagüeyes.” Oviedo used the term for water ponds.
Xaragua – Lake and territory in Haiti.
Xauxáu – Oviedo (book VII, chapter 11) calls the thin and white cassava xauxáu to differentiate these cakes from the common thick ones.
Xanique – According to Las Casas, a river in Haiti.
Xaxabis – See Papagayo.
Xaomatí – Long Island, which Columbus called Isabela.
Xamaná – See Samaná.
Xexén – See Jején.

Taino Words Starting with Letter Y

Y – A herb from Haiti, as per Las Casas.
Yaba – Tree (Andira inermis).
Yabacoa – River in Santo Domingo, tributary of the Ozama.
Yabaque – Island near the Savanna in Haiti, according to Oviedo.
Yabisí – Tree.
Yabucoa – Town in Puerto Rico.
Yabuna – Wild plant.
Yubón – River in Santo Domingo, tributary of the Yuna.
Yacahüey – Cacique from Cuba. Velázquez (1514) said: “And from all the aforementioned, a native from Hispaniola, raised as an interpreter for the cacique Yacahüey, named Caguax, who is now deceased, was the captain.”
Yagua – The sheath of each frond of the royal palm. It is a type of vegetable leather, about five feet long and a little over two feet wide; it is strong, waterproof, and fibrous. A yagua is produced by the palm each lunar month. It is used for roofing and even as a fence in the bohíos of the peasants in Puerto Rico. The yaguas from the sierra palm are smaller and more durable.
Yaguasa – Species of wild duck. Gomara records it as yaguana.
Yaguana – The village of the cacique Bojekio in Jaragua, Haiti. Here the Spanish founded a village named Vera Paz.
Yaguanabo – River in the western part of Santo Domingo.
Yaquabo – Port in Jamaica, visited by Columbus. Oviedo, book XVIII, chapter 1.
Yagüeca – The Boricua region of Añasco and Mayagüez, where the cacique Urayoán ruled. It is presumed that his village or yucayeque was named the same.
Yaguatí – River in Santo Domingo, tributary of the Nizao.
Yaüeca – District of Ponce, in Puerto Rico.
Yahutia – The yautia. A plant that produces an edible tuber. Mistakenly written as dautía. The scribe of Las Casas notes it as yahubía, substituting a ‘b’ for a ‘t’. It’s yajutia; but in usage, the aspiration has been lost, and today we say yautia.
Yaití – Tree (Eracoeraria lucida).
Yahurebo – Carib cacique of Vieques, brother of Casimax. Casimax died in a raid by the Caribs on San Juan; Yahurebo in an attack by the Spaniards on Vieques.
Yamagua – River in Cuba.
Yamagüey – Tree.
Yamasá – Place in Santo Domingo.
Yamocá – Two. Yamocán – Three.
Yanique – River in the territory of Maguana, Santo Domingo. Las Casas writes it as Xanique.
Yagruma – Tree (Cecropia peltata). Las Casas notes it as yabruma. Called ciatotapati in Mexico, quaruma by the Indians of Panama, and Yarumba in Peru. Herrera mistakenly confuses it with bamboo. Pedro Mártir writes it as yaruma.
Yana – Tree (Conocarpus erecta).
Yaque – Rivers in the territories of Jaragua and Managua. There are Yaque del Norte and Yaque del Sur. It is also the name of one of the highest mountains in Santo Domingo, where these rivers originate. Las Casas writes it as Yaqui.
Yaquímo – Place and port in the cacicazgo of Jaragua.
Yara – Place, site. In the Indo-Antillean words, it is reduced to ya by polysynthesis.
Yarabi – A small, restricted place or site.
Yarey – A variety of palm tree.
Yarí – Word found in the Indo-Antillean phrase of a woman from Santo Domingo (preserved by Las Casas), indicating the discovery of a gold nugget. Osama, guajerí, guarinkén, caona, yarí: listen, sir, come see a place with much gold. This yarí is yara-ri, a good site. The idea of gold is embedded in the word caona.
Yarima – Place of cleanliness. The anus. Pedro Mártir, Dec. III, book VII, chapter III.
Yaruma – See yagruma.
Yauco – Town in Puerto Rico.
Yautia – See yahutia.
Yayagua – A variety of pineapple.
Yayama – The pineapple.
Yaya – Tree. The Indo-Antilleans called the bubas this name. According to Father R. Breton (1666), the insular Caribs also called it so. It is the bullous disease of constitutional syphilis; it is an epidemic manifestation of the disease. Oviedo, and those who follow him, make the mistake of attributing the origin of this plague to Haiti. It existed in Europe before the discovery of the West Indies. Two thousand years before 1 A.D., the Chinese had it. The Africans did, too. The origin is prehistoric, and the terrible disease, which has struck the three main branches of the human race, is lost in the mists of time. Each race has had morphological preferences.
Yayales – District of Ponce, in Puerto Rico.
Yerén – See lerén. Yocahu Vagua Maorocoti – Las Casas says (t. v. p. 434), “The people of this Hispaniola island had certain faith and knowledge of a true and sole God… and they named him Yocahu Vagua Maorocoti: I do not know what they meant by this name.” The Italian translator of Fray Román Pane tangled the Indo-Antillean phrase more than the Bishop of Chiapa, and noted: Jocabunagus maorocón (p. 281, vol. 1, Hist. of Admiral Christopher Columbus by his son Fernando, Madrid, 1892). Bachiller y Morales (Op. cit. page 167) records: Yocauna-GuaMaonocon. Our interpretation is Yacajú Bagua Maorocoti. And we translate it: White yuca, great and powerful as the sea and the mountain. In the article on the religion of the Boricuas, we explain the polysynthesis of this indigenous phrase.
Yocahuguama – According to Las Casas, the name of a cemí in Santo Domingo.
Yú – Indo-Antillean radical. White.
Yuca – The tuber of the yucubia, from which the Indo-Antilleans and the Indians of the Mainland made their bread. Las Casas says: “This farming (cultivating the land) in the language of the Indians of this island was called conuco, the penultimate language, is the root yuca, language the first syllable, is the plant yucubia.” In Tupi and Guarani, the two dialects of the language spoken by the Indians of Brazil, yuká means to kill. Undoubtedly, this verb comes from the highly deadly properties of the juice of the bitter yuca (Jatropha manihot).
Yucayo – The native Indian of the Yucayas islands, which today, through corruption of the term, are called Lucayas. Pedro Mártir (Dec. 7. u, book 1, chap. 1) says “All of them call it by the same name Yucaias and their natives yucayos.”
Yucubia – The plant that gives yuca.
Yucaba – See sweet potato.
Yuboa – River in Santo Domingo.
Yuisa – The Boricua cacica Luisa. Once baptized, they transposed that Indian name into this Spanish one, which resembles it. Her headquarters were near the current Loiza River. Her village or yucayeque was called Jaymanio, which the chroniclers note as Haymanio. The cacica Yuisa was entrusted by Juan Cerón, in 1509, to work with her naboris, on the farms of S.A., which included the banks of the Toa River.
Yuna – Las Casas says: “There is another river further on, going towards Santo Domingo, which is called Yuna, as the Indians named it.”
Yucayu – On the map of Juan de la Cosa, there is an island with this name. Today it is Little Abaco.
Yumaí – The island Cat Island, which Columbus called Fernandina.
Yucayeke – Village. Las Casas writes it as iucaieque.
Yuní – River in Utuado, Puerto Rico. Incorrectly written as Yune.
Ynabón – River in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Yunque – The summit of the Luquillo mountain in Puerto Rico; the highest point of the mountain range, always enveloped in white mist. As with explaining the term Luquillo, some writers have appealed to a crazy Indian to derive the Spanish diminutive loquillo; similarly, they sought a resemblance for this summit to a blacksmith’s anvil. Hearing the indigenous word for the first time, the Spanish settler tried to adapt it to a Spanish term; and this was the voice that had to endure because the conqueror always imposes himself in everything he can. Yunque is a corruption of Yuké, white land. As Luquillo is Yukiyu. One of the highest mountains in Haiti was called by the Indians Yaké, which today they write as Yaque. The Spanish also found the indigenous word yuké in Cuba, in Sagua-Baracoa, applied to a mountain, and they immediately transposed it to the Spanish Yunque, as in Puerto Rico.

Taino Words Starting with Letter Z

Zemi – In the indigenous cultures of the Caribbean, particularly among the Taíno people, a “zemi” refers to both a deity and a sacred object. These objects were believed to house the spirits of the gods, ancestors, or the forces of nature and were central to religious ceremonies and rituals.

The Last Stop

The exploration of these 765 Taino words offers more than just definitions; it provides a bridge to a rich cultural heritage that shaped much of the Caribbean’s history.

By learning and sharing these terms, we help keep the spirit and wisdom of the Taino alive in our collective memory.

Before You Go

If you found this exploration of the Taino language enlightening, please consider sharing this post with others.

Spreading knowledge is a powerful way to honor the legacy of the Taino people and connect with others interested in cultural history.

This list of Taino words of Indigenous Caribbean words is a summary from the encyclopedia Clásicos de Puerto Rico, second edition, editor, Ediciones Latinoamericanas, 1972, compiled by the Puerto Rican historian Dr. Cayetano Coll Y Toste from the “Real Academia de la Historia.”

He describes it as “Indo-Antillean vocabulary.” It is well-documented and could possibly be the most comprehensive collection of Taino words ever compiled.

For the purpose of clarification, Dr. Coll Y Toste includes words that have been incorporated into the language but are not Taino.

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