Atolls of The Maldives - Historic Nomenclature

Historic Nomenclature

The earliest mention of all the names of the atolls of the Maldives is in describing the Deeva Mahal Kingdom of King Koimala Siri Mahaabarana around 1117 A.D. He was the first king to rule over the whole of Maldives. His kingdom was referred to as being Malikaddu dhemedhu- or 'all that lies between the Maliku and Addu. He fought against the Raja Dada Indians to claim the two northern most atolls for the newly formed Maldivian kingdom. All 14 atolls of his kingdom from the north to south were then named as follows:

• Malikatholhu (now Minicoy island belonging to India)
• Thiladunmathi (Northern and southern parts of Thiladhunmathi Atoll)
• Miladunmaduva (Northern and southern parts of Miladhunmadulhu Atoll)
• Maalhosmaduva (North and South Maalhosmadulhu Atolls)
• Faadu Bur (Faadhippolhu)
• Mahal Atholhu (The Male' Atolls)
• Ari-adhe Atholhu (Ari Atoll)
• Felide Atholhu (Felide Atoll)
• Mulakatholhu (Mulaku Atoll)
• Nilande Atholhu (North and South Nilande Atolls)
• Kolhumaduva (Kolhumadulu)
• Ihadhunmathi (Haddhunmathi Atoll)
• Suvadinmathi (Huvadhu Atoll)
• Addumulah (Addu and Fuvahmulah Atolls)

It is not clear where exactly Ihavandhippolhu Atoll, Maamakunudhoo Atoll, Goifulhafehendhu Atoll, Fasdūtherē Atoll, Vattaru Faru/Atholhu, Gahaafaru Atoll, Rasdhukuramathi Atoll as well as the islands of Alifushi-Ethingili, Kaashidhoo and Thoddoo were grouped in this early classification.