Belize

Meaning

An English-speaking country in Central America, formerly called British Honduras.

Synonyms

British Honduras

Honduras

🇭🇳

𐐒𐐲𐑊𐐨𐑆

Translations

Belize

Belize

🇧🇿

Belize

🇧🇿

Belice

🇧🇿

Belize

🇧🇿

بليز

🇧🇿

Belize

🇧🇿

Belize

🇧🇿

Belize

🇧🇿

Μπελίζε

Belize

Μπελίζ

Bélice

🇧🇿

Beliza

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bəˈliːz/

Etymology

The origin of the name Belize is debated and marked by various theories. One contested hypothesis suggests a derivation from Peter Wallace, a Scottish corsair whose name may have evolved into Belize through Spanish pronunciation, though modern scholars dismiss this as a colonial myth. Another possibility points to a Maya origin, from the word balix or belix, meaning "muddy waters," likely referring to the Belize River. Early 18th-century cartographic records show variations such as Balesia and Belleze. Another Maya theory links the name to the phrase Bel Itza, meaning "road to Itzá," possibly referring to the Maya kingdom of Petén Itzá in present-day Guatemala.