How Singapore Got Its Name
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How Singapore Got Its Name

Singaporean history can be taught as early as kindergarten, so even little kids can know why their country is called Singapore in the present day.

One can also learn about it in the best museums in Singapore, too. But this post aims to condense the history behind how Singapore got its name.

Singapura or “Lion City”

Singapura or “Lion City”

Around the 14th century, the island was called Singapura, which comes from the Sanskrit words Simha and Pura. They stand for “lion” and “city” respectively, even though the location isn’t geographically habitable for lions.

Still, the lion became part of Singapore’s national symbol, the Merlion. The other half of the national symbol, a fish body, represents the old sea town from where it got one of its earlier names.

Today, Merlion Park is one of the most gorgeous sunset spots in Singapore. And lion dances aren’t hard to come by, with even corporate events and private parties booking them.

Pu Luo Chang or “Island at the End”

Pu Luo Chang or “Island at the End”

One of the reasons why there are festive and colourful Chinese New Year festivals in Singapore is that historical records as far back as the third century show early Chinese settlements on the island.

One such early account described a traveller calling the island “Pu-luo-chung” or “the island at the end” of the peninsula. In Malay, the name is “Pulau Ujong” and fits the geographical description quite well.

This “island at the end” will eventually get a name change once early settlers between AD 1298–1299 established roots here. 

But if you want a deeper context between the Malay and Chinese name translations, some of the best Chinese tutors in Singapore might be able to help you out.

Temasek

Temasek

Eventually, the settlers would call the island “Temasek,” which is also the more recognised earlier name of Singapore by students and most Singaporeans. 

The Malay word for lake is tasek, which is probably where its eventual 13th-century translation of “Sea Town” was derived. Tasek can also mean any piece of land surrounded by water.

Today, Malay influences continue on everything from cuisine to funeral rites. People can go to Singapore and enjoy Peranakan food, which is a fusion of Malaysian, Chinese, and Indonesian cuisine.

Another evidence of Malay influence can be seen in funerals. A Malay funeral follows certain rituals, and the ceremony can only be performed by a certified Imam as observed by centuries of tradition.

Syonan-to or “Light of the South”

Syonan-to or “Light of the South”

Wartime also affected Singapore’s identity, especially how it was named during World War II. Briefly, the Japanese called it Syonan-to (meaning “Light of the South Island”).

When the Japanese attacked in December 1941, the Allied forces were taken by surprise. The British surrendered to the Japanese on Chinese New Year 1942, and Singapore was referred to as Syonan-to between 1942-1945.

The Japanese eventually surrendered in 1945, and Singapore became a Crown Colony in 1946.

To get to know more about this dark time in the history of Singapore, you can sign up for Japanese lessons to understand some of the terms used.