Have you ever thought about the meanings of the names of Dubai? What does Dubai mean? Did you know that the name ‘Dubai or Dubayy’ was first mentioned in a book from Andalusia in the 11th century? The emirate’s name comes from small migratory locusts. The first commercial map of Dubai was published in 1822, showing a population of only 1,000 people. If this question has come to you, we have the answers in this blog on indubaimall. Keep reading to explore our Etymological theories of “Dubai” and what they mean.
Etymological Theories of “Dubai”
What does Dubai mean in English? Dubai is the biggest and most populated city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and serves as the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. Situated on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai is a worldwide city and the business center of the Middle East. It also plays a significant role as a global transport hub for both passengers and cargo. What does Dubai mean? Numerous theories have been suggested regarding the origin of the word “Dubai”, and the etymology of “Dubai” is a subject of multiple theories that we will discuss one by one in the following parts:
The “Daba” theory – “to Creep”
What does Dubai mean in Arabic? In Arabic, backed by scholars such as Fedel Handhal, suggests that “Dubai” comes from “dabba,” the past form of “yadibbu” (يدبّ), meaning “to creep” or “crawl.” This relates to the gradual, creeping movement of Dubai Creek as it flows inland. Also, An Arabic proverb says “Daba Dubai,” which translates to “They arrived with plenty of money.” A UAE heritage expert suggests that the name Dubai might originate from the term “daba,” which describes the gentle current of Dubai Creek.
The “Baby Locust” Interpretation
Another idea, put forward by Ahmad Mohammad Obaid, indicates that the origin of the name “Dubai” could come from “dabba,” but in this context, it means “baby locust” because of the abundance of locusts before settlement. In other words, this theory is based on the historical presence of locusts in the region before it was settled.
The Persian Connection – “Two brothers”
What does Dubai mean? The name “Dubai” might be linked to the Persian language, possibly the Dubai name meaning “two brothers” in Farsi. One idea is that the name “Dubai” comes from the Farsi words for “two” and “brothers,” which could refer to the two historical areas of Bur Dubai and Deira, divided by Dubai Creek. It means that the area has a deep history marked by strong Persian influence, shown by the large Iranian expatriate community in Dubai.
The “Market” Hypothesis
The “Market” hypothesis proposes that the name “Dubai” could come from a location where a market took place, either in ancient history or during a later stage of the city’s growth. This idea is backed by the reality that Dubai’s historical importance was linked to trade, and having markets would have been an essential part of this trading process. It’s crucial to recognize that there are other theories, and the name could be due to a mix of factors.
Historical Mentions of “Dubai”
Although the exact origins of Dubai’s history are unclear, archaeological findings indicate that human settlements were present in the region as early as 3,000 BCE. The first recorded reference to Dubai, known as “Dibei,” is from the 10th century AD by the Andalusian-Arab geographer Abu Abdullah Al Bakri. It was the first known reference to Dubai appears in 1095. Later, in the late 16th century, Gaspero Balbi, a pearl merchant from Venice, traveled to the region and recorded details about Dubai pearling industry.
