Origin of Names of Provinces in the Philippines

ABRA - El Abra de Vigan

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

From the Spanish word “Abre” meaning gorge, pass, breach or opening. The pass was used by the Spaniards to denote the region above the Banawang Gap where the Abra River exists into the China Sea. Thus the  Rio Grande de Abra.

AGUSAN DEL NORTE -Caraga & Dewata & Agasan

Created under Republic Act 4979 on June 17, 1967.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

AGUSAN DEL SUR - Caraga & Dewata & Agasan

Created under Republic Act 4979 on June 17, 1967.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

AKLAN - Akean

Created under Republic Act 1414 on April 25, 1956.

Derived from a former datu  chieftain called Datu Bendahara Kalantiaw.

ALBAY - Albaybay

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

ANTIQUE - Hamtic & Hantic

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Derived  from “Hantic” after “hantic-hantic” meaning large ants that are abundant in the place.

APAYAO - Apa'yaw

AURORA - El Principe

BASILAN - Taguima & Basibalani
Created under Presidential Decree 356 on December 27, 1973

Formerly a part of the Sultanate of Sulu.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

BATAAN - Batan

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly a territory of  Pampanga.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

BATANES - Vatan
Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Derived from the name of the majority ethnic tribe “Basay” or  “Batan.”

BATANGAS - Taal & Bonbon & Balayan & Kumintang
Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly called “Bombon” or “Balayan” in 1581.

BENGUET - Benget
Created under Republic Act 4695 on June 18, 1966.

Before parting with a larger group, it was part of the now existent Mountain Province.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

BILIRAN - Isla de Panamao

BOHOL - Bo-ol & Pulilu

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

BUKIDNON - Quiblat
Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Derived from the word itself meaning “people of the mountain” pertaining to the early settlers.

BULACAN - Bulakan & Burakan; Pailah & Binwangan (some part only)

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

From the Tagalog word “bulac” meaning “cotton.”  Cotton is the principal product of the province

CAGAYAN - Catagayan & Carayan

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Nomenclature was derived from  the hardwood tree “tayag” that abounded then in the river banks of Cagayan Valley. They called the region “Catagayan”, shortened later on to Cagayan.”

CAMARINES NORTE - Ambos Camarines & Kamarines

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

From the root word “camarin” meaning warehouse or rice granary.

CAMARINES SUR - Ambos Camarines & Kamarines

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Was separated from Camarines Norte in 1919 by the Philippine Legislature.

Nomenclature origin is the same as Camarines Norte.

CAMIGUIN - Camaniguin & Kamagong
Created under Republic Act 4669 on June 18, 1966.

Once a part of Sultan Cachil Corralat known today as Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat (Kudrat).

Nomenclature origin not Stated

CAPIZ - Minuru ti Akean & Kapid

Created under Republic Act  2711 on March 10, 1917.

From the Visayan word “kapid” meaning twins which were born in the area.

CATANDUANES - Catandungan

Created under Republic Act  2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly called “Catanduan”, then “Catandogan”, then “Catanduanes”, derived from the “tondo” trees which then abounded in the island.

CAVITE - Cauite / Kawite
Created under Republic Act  2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly called “Kawit”, a Tagalog word meaning hook. There was a time when the town of Kawit is the capital of Cavite, but it is the town of Trece Martirez City for todays  capital of Cavite.

CEBU - Sugbu & Zubu &Cubu & Pulua Kangdaya
Created under Republic Act  2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly called “Sugbe” under the leadership of Rajah Humabon.

COMPOSTELA VALLEY - Monkayo Valley & Kampo de Kastila (some part) & Santiago de Apostol de Compostela

COTABATO (North and South) - Kuta bato & Kotawato

South Cotabato was formed when Cotabato was divided in 1976.

The Northern portion was further divided on November 22, 1973 under Presidential Decree 341. One of the  provinces formed was North Cotabato.

Formerly a part of the Sultanate of Maguindanao.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

DAVAO - Davoh& Daba & Craga & Nueva Guipuzcoa

Created under Republic Act 4867 on May 08, 1967.

Formerly a part of Sultanate of Mindanao.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

DAVAO DEL SUR

Created under Republic Act 4867 on May 08, 1967.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

DAVAO ORIENTAL IFUGAO

Created under Republic Act 4867 on May 08, 1967.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

Created under Republic Act 4695 on June 18, 1966.

Originally a subprovince of Nueva Vizcaya.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

GUIMARAS - Himal-us & Ymaras

IFUGAO - I-pugo & iPugaw

ILOCOS NORTE

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Was formerly a part of La Union province. Hearsay nomenclature origin was that of the dialect namely Ilocano and thus Ilocos.

ILOCOS SUR - Samtoy & Ilooc & Ylocos

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Separated from Ilocos Norte by a Royal Decree on February 02, 1818 to be called Sur (meaning “South”).

Nomenclature origin is the same as that of Ilocos Norte.

ILOILO - Irong-Irong

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly called “Irong-irong” under Datu Paiburong in the confederation of Madjaas, first known organization of the barangays.

ISABELA - former part of Provincia de Cagayan

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Named after Queen Isabela of Spain.

KALINGA-APAYAO - Kalingga & Caylingas

Created under Republic Act 4695 on June 18, 1966.

Derived from the two ethnic groups, Apayao and Kalinga.

LAGUNA

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Derived from Spanish phrase “La Laguna” meaning “The Lake”, which rightfully depicts Laguna as by the Lake.

LANAO DEL NORTE

Created under Republic Act 2228 on May 22, 1959.

Formerly a part of Sultan Kudarat.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

LANAO DEL SUR

Created under Republic Act 2228 on May 22, 1959.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

LA UNION

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly called “Aturey” by the natives. Derived from the Spanish word “Union” meaning the “unity”

LEYTE - Tandaya & Abuyo & Felipinas & Rayte & Hiraite & Ete

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

SOUTHERN LEYTE

Created under Republic Act 2227 on May 22, 1959

Ruy Lopez de Villalobos named Leyte as “Felipina” in 1534 which later became the name of the whole country.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

MAGUINDANAO

Created under Presidential Decree 341 on November 22, 1973.

Formerly referred to as the old province of Cotabato which occupied the entire southwestern portion of Mindanao.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

MARINDUQUES

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly a part of Balayan (Batangas).

Nomenclature origin not stated.

MASBATE

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

MINDORO Occidental

Created under Republic Act 505 on June 13, 1950.

Formerly called “Mait” (from the Spanish phrase “Mina de Oro”).

MINDORO Oriental

Created under Republic Act 505 on June 13, 1950.

The phrase “Mina de Oro” translated as gold mine was the name given by the Spaniards to the place known as the trading port specially to Chinese.

MISAMIS Occidental

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Derived from the word “Kuyamis” a variety of sweet coconut – the staple food of the early elders, it was corrupted to Misamis by the Spaniards.

MISAMIS Oriental

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Nomenclature origin the same as Misamis Occidental.

MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

Created under Republic Act 4965 on June 18, 1966.

From the Spanish word “La Montanosa” meaning “The Mountainous.”

NUEVA ECIJA

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

The “Rice Bowl” of the Philippines.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

NUEVA VIZCAYA

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Named after the people living in Mar de Vizcaina, Spain.

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly called “Buglas” but the Spaniards changed it to Negros due to the predominant presence of Negritoes.

NEGROS ORIENTAL

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Separated from Negros Occidental by Republic Act 6393 on September 17, 1971.

Nomenclature origin is the same as Negros Occidental.

PANGASINAN

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Nomenclature means “the place where salt is made,” derived from the root word “asin (salt)”. Salt-making is one of the most important occupations in the province.

PAMPANGA

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

From the word “Kapampangans” meaning “people of the river banks” which referred to the early settlers.

PALAWAN - Palau-ye & Paragua & Perawan & Palaoan,& Islas de Calamianes, & (Castilla-Northern Palawan), (Asturias-Southern Palawan)

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly called “Paragna” part of the Sultanate of Borneo.

QUEZON - Kalilaya & Tayabas

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly called Tayabas until the passing of Republic Act No. 14 naming it to Quezon being the hometown of the then Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon.

QUIRINO

Created under Republic Act 6394 on September 10, 1971.

Present municipalities were originally a part of Nueva Vizcaya.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

RIZAL

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

ROMBLON - Lomlon &Lomlom& Domblon

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

SAMAR (Northern)

Created under Republic Act 4221 on June 19, 1965.

Was formerly called “Ibabao” during the early days of Spanish Rule.

SAMAR (Eastern)

Created under Republic Act 4221 on June 19, 1965.

Nomenclature origin the same as Northern Samar.

SIQUIJOR

Created under Republic Act 6398 on September 17,1971.

Earlier known as “Siquihod”, “Siquijor” which was named after King Kihod, a legendary ruler. Natives say it was from Katugasan (“Tugas”,  a molave tree in the Cebu-Visayan dialect) which covered the islands. This place was earlier known to the Spaniards as “Islas de Fuegos” or “Fire Islands” because of the lights from hundreds of fireflies.

SORSOGON

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Formerly a province of Albay until October 17, 1894.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

SURIGAO DEL NORTE AND SURIGAO DEL SUR

Created under Republic Act 2786 on June 19, 1960.

Earlier known as “Siargao” or “Sidargo” and referred to as “Caraga”, “Caragha” or “Carhaga” during the Spanish Occupation. Caragas were early inhabitants of the place.

SULTAN KUDARAT

Created under Presidential Decree 341 on November 22, 1973.

Formerly a part of the old province Cotabato.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

SULU

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Originated from the native word “Sug” meaning current. Also called “Sooloo”, “Soolooc”,  “Xole”, “Sojo”“Jolo” or “Sulu”. 

TARLAC

Created under Republic Act 5907 on June 21, 1969.

The “melting pot” of Luzon.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

TAWI-TAWI - Jaui-Jaui

Created under Presidential Decree 341 on September 27, 1973.

Formerly a part of the Sultanate of Sulu.

Nomenclature origin not stated.

ZAMBALES

Created under Republic Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Derived from the early settlers called “Zambals”.

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE

Created under Republic Act 711 on June 6, 1952.

Formerly called “Sibuguey”, “sibugay” or “sibugnet”. Being a part of Cachil Corralat or Kudarat, it was referred to as the store-house for Corralat or Kudarat during the early part of the Spanish conquest of Mindanao and Sulu.

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR

Created under Republic Act 711 on June 6, 1952.

Nomenclature Origin the same as Zamboanga del Norte.

Notes:

1.      The creation of each province under a Republic Act or a Presidential Decree is only to signify that it is officially approved by the government as such  and that transactions from the National level can readily be handed down via the provincial level officially as approved by the republic act of the now defunct Congress and prior to that by to that by the Philippine Legislature and by the now existent Presidential Decree.

2.      Some provinces which do not have any origin of its name were usually connected to a Sultanate or Subprovince before being proclaimed an independent province. Thus the inadequacy to trace the origins of the names.

Related:
      Origin of Names of Towns of Cavite

*LAGUNA---------Puliran Kasumuran & La Provincia de la Laguna de Bay & Laguna de Bae
*LANAO (del norte/del sur)---Uranen & Ranaw & Lanaw
*LA UNION--------former unionized towns of Pangasinan,Ilocos & Benguet in Cordillera.The fusion was decreed by Spanish Gov.Gen.Narciso Claveria then signed by his successor Spanish Gov.Gen.Antonio Maria Blanco.
*MAGUINDANAO---Sulanga & Magindanaw
*MARINDUQUE------Malindik,Malindug, Malinduc,Marinduc
*MASBATE-------------Masabati
*MINDORO (Or & Occ)---Ma-i & Ma-it &Mina de Oro & Minolo & Mintolo
*MISAMIS (Or & Occ)----Kuyamis & Tagaloan
*MOUNTAIN PROVINCE----La Montanosa---once a mega province compose of now separate provinces of Apayao, Benguet,Ifugao,Kalinga & then sub province of Bontoc with Lepanto & Amburayan... 
*NEGROS (Or & Occ)-------Buglas
*NUEVA ECIJA----------------formerly part of mega province of Pampanga & sub province of Bulacan, Spanish Gov Gen. Fausto Acuyar Cruzat named the province after his home province Ecija,Sevilla,Andalusia in Spain...Most of its part is called then 'Ibon' the old Name of municipality of Gapang later Gapan, because Gapan then is a big town that the present separate towns now of Penaranda, General Tinio ,San Leonardo,Sta.Rosa,& Cabanatuan City to name some are only former barrios of Gapan...The original land area of Nueva Ecija when first established includes "some" areas of Tarlac,Pangasinan, Isabela,Nueva Vizcaya and most parts of Baler,Aurora & Quezon province including Polilio Island.
*NUEVA VIZCAYA-----former part of Provincia de Cagayan...named by Spanish Gov.Gen. Luis Lardizabal after his home province Biscay in Spain.
*PAMPANGA---Pampang & Pangpang
--The original mega province of Pampanga includes either the entire land area or portion of present day provinces of Tarlac,Bulacan,Nueva Ecija,Quezon,Baler.
*PANGASINAN----Luyag na Kabaloan
*QUIRINO-----------its all towns are formerly in jurisdiction of Nueva Vizcaya.
*RIZAL---------------Morong
*SARANGANI-----Sarangan ini
*SIQUIJOR---------Tierra del Fuego&Katugan & Katugasan& Sikihod
*SORSOGON-----Solsogon& Gibalong/Ibalon/Hibalon
*SAMAR(Northern, Eastern,&Western)-----------Ibabao,Cibabao,Zibabao,Achan,Samad, Zamal
*SULTAN KUDARAT----Former part of Maguindanao
*SULU----------------Sulot & Suluk & Sulug
*SURIGAO----------Caraga & Carhaga & Calagan & Suligao
*TARLAC-----------Tarlak & Matarlak ( Former part of Pampanga & Pangasinan)
*ZAMBALES------Sambal,Sambales
*ZAMBOANGA(del Sur & del Norte)---Jambangan & Sambuangan.
*ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY---Sibuguey & formerly part of Zamboanga del Sur.

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