 It is thought that Martinique is a corruption of the native name for the island ("Madiana/Madinina", meaning 'island of flowers'), as relayed to Christopher Columbus when he visited the island in 1502.According to historian Sydney Daney, the island was called "Jouanacaëra" by the Caribs, which means "the island of iguanas".The island was occupied first by Arawaks, then by Caribs.