The etymology of the word "Maluku" is not very clear, and it has been a matter of debate for many experts. A common theory says that the term "Maluku" originates from the Arabic phrase "Jaziratul Muluk" (جزيرة الملوك), which means "Country of the Kings" ("muluk" is the plural form of "malik", which means king). Thus the kingless Ambon archipelago, the Banda archipelago and island groups to the south were at that time not included in the original sense of the term. The name has been mentioned in the fourteenth-century Majapahit eulogy, Nagarakretagama by the local language with the meaning "the head of a bull" or "the head of something large". Though there is speculation that Majapahit writers sourced their name from the arabic name. However, the term is known in texts from the 14th century, before there was likely any significant Arab influence, putting this etymology in doubt.