What is Indonesia named after?

Indonesia derives its name from a combination of two Greek words: "Indos", meaning "India" or "East", and "nesos", meaning "island". Hence, the name "Indonesia" can be translated as "Indian Islands" or "Islands of the East". The term "Indonesia" was first used in the 18th century by German ethnographers to refer to the archipelago that today comprises the Republic of Indonesia. The name gained popularity in the early 20th century and was officially adopted as the country's name upon its independence in 1945.