cay

Where does the word "cay" come from? It comes from Taino cayo, passing through Spanish before entering English (1690s).

Cay’s story begins in Taino: cayo meant “a small island or islet.” Named a small low island or reef. By 1530s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as cayo. English 'key', as in Florida Keys, comes from the same word. It reached English by 1690s as cay. Anglicized into English, later also spelled 'key' as in the Florida Keys. Today, cay means a small, low island or reef made of sand or coral.

1. Stage 1 · Taino · pre-1500s cayo "a small island or islet", named a small low island or reef.
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1530s cayo "a small low island, especially of sand or coral", English 'key', as in Florida Keys, comes from the same word.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1690s cay "a low island or reef of sand or coral", anglicized into English, later also spelled 'key' as in the Florida Keys.