1. "Minadanao" - From the Cebuano language:
* This is the most common and widely accepted theory. "Minadanao" in Cebuano means "land of the people", suggesting it was named by the indigenous Cebuano people. This is supported by the fact that "Minadanao" was the original name for the island, with "Mindanao" evolving later.
2. "Minandao" - From the Maguindanao language:
* This theory suggests that "Minandao" comes from the Maguindanao language and refers to the "land of the hill people". This is supported by the fact that the Maguindanao people inhabited parts of the island.
3. "Mindanao" - From the Spanish:
* Some believe that the word "Mindanao" is a Spanish corruption of "Minadanao" or "Minandao". This theory suggests that the Spanish explorers adapted the native name to their language.
4. Other theories:
* Some suggest that "Mindanao" comes from the Malay word "minanda", meaning "to look at" or "to gaze upon".
* Others believe it is a combination of two words, "mina" meaning "gold" and "dao" meaning "river", referring to the island's gold deposits and rivers.
Ultimately, the exact origin of the word "Mindanao" remains unknown. It's likely a combination of influences from the indigenous languages and the Spanish colonizers.
It's important to note that the different theories highlight the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the history and language of the island.