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Caonabo

♂ Boy

Pronounced kah-oh-NAH-boh

Meaning: lord of the golden house

In 30 seconds: Taino name meaning Lord of Gold — caona (gold) + bo (lord) — borne by the powerful cacique of Maguana, Hispaniola, documented by Bartolomé de las Casas.

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Origin Taino

Meaninglord of the golden house

History & Origin

Caonabo was cacique of Maguana, one of the five major chiefdoms of Hispaniola, and the husband of Anacaona. Born in the Lucayan Archipelago (Bahamas), he migrated to Hispaniola and became one of the most formidable leaders in the Caribbean. He led or directed the attack on Columbus's fort La Navidad in December 1493, killing the 39 Spanish sailors left behind. In 1494 he was seized by Alonso de Ojeda through deception and deported toward Spain, dying at sea. Bartolomé de las Casas called him "an incredibly brave and spirited man, with much gravitas and authority."

Did you know? Caonabo was captured in 1494 by Spanish officer Alonso de Ojeda, who tricked him into accepting shining handcuffs presented as a gift from the Spanish king; he died at sea while being deported to Spain.

Caonabo — Wikipedia (citing Bartolomé de las Casas, Nicholas Saunders) — Primary historical account of cacique of Maguana; caona = gold confirmed by Boricua Guide dictionary

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If you like Caonabo…

Anacaona— Wife of Caonabo; her name shares the same caona (gold) root, meaning golden flower

Caguax— Historical Taino cacique of Puerto Rico from the same Arawakan Caribbean tradition

Guacanagarí— Taino cacique who received Columbus in 1492, documented in the same era

Agüeybaná— Greatest Taino cacique of Puerto Rico, from the same pre-Columbian Arawakan world

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Frequently Asked

What does Caonabo mean?

Caonabo means Lord of Gold in Taino — from caona (gold) and bo (lord or great), the same root that appears in his wife Anacaona's name, meaning golden flower.

How do you pronounce Caonabo?

kah-oh-NAH-bo — four syllables, stress on the third.

Who was Caonabo?

Caonabo was the cacique of Maguana, one of five Hispaniola chiefdoms, and husband of Anacaona. He led resistance to Spanish colonization in the 1490s and was captured by Alonso de Ojeda in 1494 through deception, dying at sea en route to Spain.

Is Caonabo a boy or girl name?

Caonabo is a masculine name, borne by a historical male cacique.