Buzz
Traditionally, islands were named by their discoverers, often after themselves, reflecting humanity's self-centered tendencies. However, with countless islands worldwide, some names break the mold. Instead of honoring explorers, saints, or officials, these islands draw their names from far more unexpected inspirations.
1. BUSTA RHYMES ISLAND, MASSACHUSETTS
Source: Google Maps
In Shrewsbury, a town located approximately an hour west of Boston, a tiny island in Mill Pond bears the name of rap legend Busta Rhymes. Kevin O’Brien, a local resident and unofficial caretaker of the island, chose to honor his favorite rapper with this unique naming. While the name is visible on Google Maps, it remains unofficial due to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names' stringent criteria, which require a namesake to be deceased for at least five years.
2. AXEL HEIBERG ISLAND, NUNAVUT, CANADA
Image source: National Library of Norway via Wikimedia // Public Domain
Among Canada's largest islands
Explored and named by Otto Sverdrup around 1900, this island was not named after its discoverer. Instead, it honors Norwegian brewer Axel Heiberg, who served as the financial director of Ringnes brewery, a key sponsor of the expedition. Other islands in the archipelago, such as Ellef Ringnes Island and Amund Ringnes Island, pay tribute to the brewery's founders. The entire group of islands is collectively known as the Sverdrup Islands.
3. MAJOR CAYE, BELIZE
Belize, a small Central American country, boasts over 200 islands locally known as cayes (pronounced 'keys'). In a nod to DJ Khaled and his famous 'major keys' philosophy, the Belize Tourism Board recently renamed one of these islands Major Caye. While DJ Khaled has been offered a free trip, he might want to avoid any reminders of the island's former name—Snake Caye.
4. BELLAMY CAY, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Image credit: Pirates of the Spanish Main Trading Card via Wikimedia // Public Domain
Located near Beef Island in the British Virgin Islands, Bellamy Cay is named after the infamous pirate Black Sam Bellamy. During the 1700s, Bellamy used this island as his operational hub while engaging in piracy. Known as the 'Robin Hood of the Sea,' he amassed immense wealth, becoming one of history's richest pirates by the time of his death.
5. NORMAN ISLAND, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Image credit: Matt & Nayoung via Wikimedia // CC BY 2.0
Named after Captain Norman, an 18th-century pirate, this island in the British Virgin Islands has a storied past. Before his execution by the Spanish Puerto Rico Coast Guard, Captain Norman reportedly acquired the island through purchase or lease. Legend has it that he left behind hidden treasures, with at least one cache already recovered and others still undiscovered. Some believe Norman Island inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel, Treasure Island.
6. YAYA ISLAND, RUSSIA
Discovered in 2013 by Russian Air Force crews during a helicopter flight, Yaya Island was initially considered to be named Bounty Island, inspired by the film Mutiny on the Bounty. However, when the crew debated who first spotted the land, a chorus of 'Ya, ya!' ('Me, me!') led to its current name, symbolizing a collective claim to the discovery.
