Origin of the Name "Falkland Islands"

The islands are named after Falkland Sound (the channel between East and West Falkland), which was named in 1690 by English Captain John Strong of the Welfare.

He honored Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount Falkland (1656–1694), a Scottish nobleman and Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty. The title "Viscount Falkland" derives from Falkland Palace in Fife, Scotland—a royal Stuart residence.

The Spanish name Islas Malvinas comes from French Îles Malouines (1764), named by Louis Antoine de Bougainville after Saint-Malo (Breton port), home of the expedition’s settlers (Malouins).