What does the word tainos mean?

"Taino" is the name of an indigenous people who inhabited the Caribbean islands before the arrival of Europeans. The word itself has a couple of possible origins and meanings:

* From the Taíno language: It is believed to come from the word "taíno" meaning "noble" or "good" in their language.

* From the Arawak language: Some sources suggest it may be derived from the Arawak word "taíno" meaning "our people" or "the good ones".

Therefore, the term "Taino" can be interpreted as a self-designation emphasizing their nobility, goodness, or simply their identity as a distinct group.