The isle was once named Batu Ferringhi ( English: Portuguese Rock) and has lent its name to the now popular tourist destination of Batu Ferringhi, a suburb of George Town. In the 16th century, Portuguese sailors landed at the rock to obtain fresh water from the nearby streams.[1] At the time, the Malay word Ferringhi, which was in turn derived from the Arabicferringi, was originally used to denote a person of Portuguese descent.
Urban legend has it that Lovers' Isle was named as such after a couple, each of a different ethnicity, committed suicide at this outcrop.[2] To this day, Lovers' Isle is still visited by couples during low tides.
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