'amoy' originates from the Southern Min language, specifically the word '厦門', where '厦' meant 'mansion' and '門' meant 'gate'.

'厦門' transformed into the English word 'Amoy' through transliteration and eventually became the modern English name 'Xiamen'.

Initially, it referred to the city itself, but over time it also came to denote the dialect spoken in the region.