A number of resort names scattered across this directory share recurring Dhivehi word-parts, which — once you know them — make island names far less like random marketing words and more like straightforward geographic descriptions.
-fushi: island
By far the most common suffix in Maldivian place names, "fushi" simply means island — found throughout this directory in names like Soneva Fushi, Gili Lankanfushi, and dozens of others. It's less a brand flourish and more a literal description.
Faru: reef
"Faru" refers to a reef, showing up in various reef-adjacent place names across the country — a useful word to recognise alongside "kandu" (channel) and "thila" (submerged pinnacle) from our Dhivehi travel glossary.
Velavaru and turtle references
Names built around "vela" often relate to turtles — Angsana Velavaru is a direct example already in this directory, a reasonable hint that turtle sightings have long been associated with that particular island.
Finolhu: a small sandy islet
"Finolhu" typically describes a small, often uninhabited sandy islet — closely related to the sandbanks covered in our sandbanks & excursions guide, and a word worth recognising if it shows up in an excursion itinerary.