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

'Bahamian' changed from the Spanish phrase 'baja mar' (used to describe the shallow seas around the islands) into the place-name 'Bahamas' in English, and from that the adjective/noun 'Bahamian' developed to refer to people or things from the Bahamas.

Initially it referred to the 'shallow sea' (the maritime characteristic of the area), but over time it evolved to refer to the islands called the 'Bahamas' and then to people or things from that place — now 'Bahamian' means 'from the Bahamas'.