The origin of the term Malta is uncertain, and the modern-day variation
derives from the Maltese language. The most common etymology is that the word
Malta derives from the Greek word (meli), "honey". The Greeks called the
island (Melite) meaning "honey-sweet" (which was also the name of a Nereid),
possibly due to Malta's unique production of honey; an endemic species of bee
lives on the island, giving it the popular nickname the "land of honey".The
Romans went on to call the island Melita, which is the latinisation of the
Greek . Another theory suggests that the word Malta comes from the Phoenician
word Maleth meaning "a haven" in reference to Malta's many bays and coves. The
current term Malta was introduced during the Kingdom of Sicily period.
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