gekoq

gekoq

gekoq

Malay (onomatopoeia)

“The lizard named for its call — 'gek-ko, gek-ko.'”

Gecko comes from Malay gekoq or tokek, imitating the lizard's distinctive call. The clicking 'gek-ko' sound echoes through Southeast Asian nights.

Different gecko species have different calls, but the tokay gecko's loud 'to-kay!' is the most famous. Some cultures consider hearing seven calls lucky.

The word entered English in the 1700s through colonial natural history. Now 'gecko' is the standard English name for the lizard family.

The Malay onomatopoeia became scientific vocabulary.

Related Words

Today

Gecko is now standard English — the wall-climbing lizard with the famous sticky feet. GEICO made it mascot famous.

The Malay imitation of a lizard's call became commercial icon.

Explore more words

Frequently asked questions about gecko

What does gecko mean?

Gecko is the standard English name for the lizard family known for climbing walls and making sharp calls.

Where does the name gecko come from?

The word comes from Malay forms such as gekoq or tokek, which imitate the sound of the animal's call.

Is gecko an onomatopoeic word?

Yes. It is one of those animal names shaped by the noise the animal makes.

Why is the gecko called that?

Because speakers heard the lizard's clicking or barking call and turned that sound into its name.