Siquijor is associated with several names, each tied to a different story: a nickname attributed to Spanish visitors, a native name linked to a tree, and a local legend about a ruler. This article sets out what commonly cited accounts say and notes where a story is tradition rather than documented fact.
\n\nAccording to widely repeated accounts, including the encyclopedic entry on Siquijor, Spaniards called the island Isla del Fuego because of the glow of fireflies swarming in its molave trees. The same accounts say the island was first sighted by Spaniards in 1565, during the expedition led by Miguel López de Legazpi. The 'Island of Fire' nickname is still used in tourism writing about Siquijor.
\n\nAccounts also give a pre-Spanish name for the island, Katugasan (spelled Katagusan in some texts). It is said to come from tugas, the local word for the molave tree, which covered the hills.
\n\nOne popular legend traces the name to Datu Kihod, described as a ruler of the island before the Spaniards arrived. In the story, he introduced himself to the newcomers with the words si Kihod (\"I am Kihod\"). The Spaniards, presumably taking this to be the name of the island, wrote it as Sikihod, which over time became Siquijor. It is a folk etymology told as a legend, and it should not be treated as established fact.
\n\nThe molave appears in both the native name and the firefly story. It was also prized as building timber: accounts say islanders used it for house posts because of its strength and durability.
\n\nThe better-documented parts of the Spanish period concern church organization:
\nCivil and provincial history after the Spanish period is outside the scope of this article.
\n\n