'abacay' originates from the Filipino language, specifically the word 'abaka', where 'aba-' meant 'fiber' and '-ka' was a suffix used for plants.

'abaka' transformed into the Spanish word 'abacá', and eventually became the modern English word 'abacay'.

Initially, it meant 'fiber plant', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a type of palm tree'.