Page "Banjo" Paragraph 2

There are several theories concerning the origin of the name banjo.

It may derive from the Kimbundu term mbanza.

Some etymologists believe it comes from a dialectal pronunciation of the Portuguese " bandore " or from an early anglicisation of the Spanish word " bandurria ", though other research suggests that it may come from a West African term for a bamboo stick formerly used for the instrument's neck.