'kiwi' originates from Māori, specifically the word 'kiwi', where the original word imitated the bird's call 'kee-wee' (onomatopoeic).

'kiwi' was borrowed into New Zealand English in the 19th century to name the native bird; later, in the 20th century, the name was extended commercially to the kiwifruit (formerly called the Chinese gooseberry) by New Zealand exporters.

Initially it referred only to the bird; over time it also became an informal term for New Zealanders and a commercial name for the kiwifruit.