How Yap Got its Name

Legend tells of the first European ship to arrive at the main islands that was met by a canoe of local warriors. Using sign language, the warriors invited the captain to come ashore for discussions. As the captain boarded the canoe, he pointed toward the shore and asked the name of the island. Thinking the captain was pointing at a canoe paddle held by the navigator in the bow of the canoe, the warriors responded, "Yap." The name was recorded by the captain so today the islands of Wa'ab are known to the outside world as Yap, or "Canoe Paddle." There are many who would like to go back to the original name of Wa'ab and visitors will see it throughout the island in the name of businesses and other uses.