'bahamas' originates from Spanish, specifically the phrase 'baja mar', where 'baja' meant 'low' and 'mar' meant 'sea'.

'baja mar' (Spanish, 'low sea' or 'shallow sea') was used by early Spanish sailors to describe the shallow waters; the form was adapted into English usage and came to refer to the islands as 'Bahamas'.

Initially, it referred to the shallow seas ('low sea') in the area; over time it came to name the islands and the modern country 'The Bahamas'.