'island' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'ī(e)gland', where 'ī(e)g' meant 'island' and 'land' meant 'land'.

'ī(e)gland' transformed into the Middle English word 'iland', and eventually became the modern English word 'island'.

Initially, it meant 'a piece of land surrounded by water', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.