Galapago or Galapagos? The Origin of the Name behind the Enchanted Isles

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The Enchanted Isles, formally called the Galapagos (plural) islands, are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites due to their abundance of recognizable wildlife and surreal scenery. Presumably, the enormous tortoises that still call the islands home inspired the name of the islands. We examine the meaning and rationale behind the word “Galapagos” in this blog!

The Giant Tortoise Is One Of The Galapagos Endemic Species.
This Gentle Giant Gives The Name To The Archipelago.

GEOGRAPHERS: WHO IS IT?

Who named the islands that way is still up for debate, but one thing is sure: the name comes from Spanish. Some claim that early Spanish explorers first gave the famous name of the archipelago, while others attribute it to Tomas de Berlanga, the first and unintentional discoverer of the Galapagos islands.

ARE THEY THE GALAPAGOS OR THE ISLANDS? WHAT IS MEANT BY IT?

Most historians and specialists on the Galapagos Islands appear to concur, in one way or another, that the old Spanish term Galapagos is where the name “Galapagos” originated. The word took on its plural form since the archipelago is a collection of many islands.

A chicken and the egg dilemma: Which definition of Galapagos applies to the name of the islands?

Numerous people have noted that the Spanish word for this saddle is Galapagos. However, whether this is the correct meaning of the word in the context of the Galapagos (not the Galapagos (singular) Islands) is still up for debate. How come? Coincidentally, the Real Academia Española states that “Galapagos” in Spanish originally meant “tortoise.”

Javier Garcia

Eduardo Silva

Carolina Escobar

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Javier Garcia

Eduardo Silva

Carolina Escobar

Get in touch for more

Contact Us

The ninth definition of Galapagos is as a saddle, and the first definition is as a tortoise. In the context of the Galapagos, where giant tortoises—one of our BIG15 emblematic species—roam freely in enormous numbers, this makes perfect sense. One of the leading proponents of the term’s invention about the islands, Tomas de Berlanga, explicitly used the word in his correspondence with Spain’s King Charles VI, strengthening the case for this alternative definition theory. Berlanga wrote to the King, describing the odd and intriguing things he had encountered there. He explains what he observed all around the archipelago, including the:

“… muchos lobos marinos (sea lions), tortugas (turtles), iguanas, galápagos…”

Galapagos Giant Tortoise Saddle.
It’S A Mildly Confusing Coincidence That The Word Galapago Happens To Stand For Tortoise And Saddle (Which Resembles The Shape Of The Giant Tortoise’S Shells)!

This raises the question: Would Berlanga have used the word “Galapagos” in its original sense to distinguish marine turtles from their enormous terrestrial counterparts? Using the term in addition to or alongside the word “turtles” or Tortugas would make perfect sense. This theory is strengthened by the fact that, if he had been referring to saddles, he would have either a. clarified to the King that the giant tortoise’s shell resembled a saddle or b. he used the phrase to refer to a horse.

So, what definition and use of the word do you stand behind, dear reader? 

GO AND SEE FOR YOURSELF WHAT INSPIRED THE NAME GALAPAGOS!

Many Galapagos giant tortoises still live throughout many of the islands in the Galapagos (not Galapagos Islands!). Experience the gigantic tortoise of the Galapagos and all our Galapagos Islands tours on the Santa Cruz II Galapagos trip! Stroll along to these obedient and modest giants—they are incredibly unique!

Javier Garcia

Eduardo Silva

Carolina Escobar

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Javier Garcia

Eduardo Silva

Carolina Escobar

Get in touch for more

Contact Us

Updated:November 24, 2023

Published:March 7, 2018

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