'achagua' originates from a local African language, specifically the word 'achagwa', where 'acha-' meant 'fruit' and '-gwa' meant 'sweet'.

The word 'achagwa' was adopted into English as 'achagua' to describe the fruit in international markets.

Initially, it meant 'sweet fruit', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a specific type of tropical fruit.