Taiwan's Former Name: Formosa ("Beautiful Island")

From Formosa to Taiwan

Formosa (from Portuguese Ilha Formosa = "Beautiful Island") was the name used by Europeans from the 1540s through WWII.

Origin of "Taiwan"

• Derived from Tayouan (or Teyowan, Tayovan)
• Name of a Dutch East India Company fort/settlement (1624) near modern Tainan
• Indigenous Siraya word, possibly meaning "foreigners" or "terraced bay"
• Gradually applied to the whole island under Qing rule (1683–1895)

Usage Timeline

• 1544: Portuguese sailors dub it "Ilha Formosa"
• 1624–1662: Dutch "Tayouan" → "Taiwan" in Chinese records
• 1683: Qing annexation; "Taiwan" becomes official prefecture name
• 1895–1945: Japanese rule — "Taiwan" (台湾) formalized
• 1945–present: Republic of China / "Taiwan" in universal use

"Formosa" persists in historical/scientific contexts (e.g., Formosan languages, Formosan black bear).