History
Nassau originally belonged to the islanders of nearby Pukapuka and was called Te Nuku-o-Ngalewu which means "Land of Ngalewu" after the Pukapukan who was put in charge of it. When the two islands fell out with each other, it was renamed "Deserted Island" (Te Motu Ngaongao) supposedly by the islanders of Manihiki who drifted to the island and found it deserted.
In 1803, it got yet another name - "Adele Island" - after the ship of the first discoverer (Louis Coutance). About 20 years later it was renamed "Lydra Island" by another explorer, then "Ranger Island" after the London whale ship "Ranger". An American whaler May Mitchell decided in 1834 that it should bear his name and called it "Mitchell Island".
But it wasn't until a year later it that finally got the name it is known by today. Another American whaler, John D. Sampson named it after his vessel, the Nassau. It is not known why that name finally stuck, especially as another whale ship which sighted the island the following year tried to rename it "New-Port Island". (Information verified from academic research in the Cook Islands Library and Museum)
Read more about this topic: Nassau (Cook Islands)
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