The name “Xaymaca” that Christopher Columbus gave the island of Jamaica when he first arrived there in 1494 means “land of wood and water” in the native Tano language. This old name eventually gave way to the name Jamaica, which has been in use ever since. Therefore, to precisely address your question, Columbus called Jamaica “Xaymaca.”
There is no direct relationship to either Jamaica or Christopher Columbus, which relates to the question of whether the term “starling” is a name. However, the surname “Starling” is English in origin and has been in use for many generations. It was perhaps influenced by the avian species of the same name that was previously common in England.
The official language of Jamaica is English, which is also the language that is widely spoken there. Jamaican Creole, often known as Jamaican Patois, is extensively used and widely regarded as the nation’s unofficial second language. A creole language known as Jamaican Patois was created throughout time as a result of the mixing of numerous African and European languages.
Last but not least, there are numerous African last names to pick from depending on the country of origin. Among others, Sow, Diop, Toure, Ndour, and Diallo are some prevalent last names in Africa. It is significant to remember that many slaves from Africa transported to the Caribbean during the transatlantic slave trade had their masters forcefully give them European surnames, which explains why many Caribbean last names have European origins.
In conclusion, Christopher Columbus initially referred to Jamaica as “Xaymaca” before changing the name to the one we know today. There are various African last names to pick from based on the country of origin, English is the language of Jamaica, and the surname “Starling” is of English origin.