What name did the Chinese historically use for the Philippines?

• A. Cathay
• B. Namru
• C. Ma-yi
• D. Luzon

Answer: (C)

Ma-yi is the historical name used by Chinese traders and writers for the Philippine archipelago. In medieval Chinese records, such as travel and trade accounts, the Philippines are referred to as Ma-i (often rendered Ma-yi). These sources describe a cluster of islands to the southeast of China, known for their trade goods and gold, and they use Ma-i or Ma-yi to denote the region rather than a single island. This term sits in contrast to other options like Cathay (China itself) or Luzon (a specific island), which are not the historical Chinese label for the Philippines. So Ma-yi is the term you’d encounter in early Chinese references for this area.