The etymology of the pronunciation "sakaki" is uncertain. With linguistic consensus that the "-ki" suffix denotes ("tree"), the two most probable etymologies are either "sakae-ki" ("evergreen tree"), from ; or "saka-ki" ("boundary tree"), from – an older form of modern reading "sakai", from the way that trees were often planted at a shrine's boundary line. Carr (1995:13) cites Japanese tradition and historical phonology to support the latter etymon. The Shogakukan "Kokugo Dai Jiten Dictionary" entry for this term also notes that the pitch accent for "sakayu" () – the origin of modern "sakae" () – is different than what would be expected, suggesting that may be the more likely derivation (Shogakukan 1988).