Turks is a reference to the indigenous Turk's head cactus and Caicos is from the Lucayan term caya hico meaning string of islands, words which entered the natives' language through an early colonist, Bernard Caicos.

The "Turks" in the Turks and Caicos Islands does not refer to the country of Turkey, but rather to a local plant: the Turk's Head Cactus (Melocactus intortus). The cactus features a distinctive red, cylindrical cap that early European explorers thought looked like a traditional Turkish fez hat. This unique botanical feature became so synonymous with the islands that it eventually gave the "Turks" half of the archipelago its name. The "Caicos" half of the name is derived from the Lucayan word "caya hico," which translates to "string of islands." Combined, the name perfectly describes the geography and the unique flora of this British Overseas Territory. In 2026, the Turk's Head Cactus remains a proud national symbol and can still be found growing wild on the rocky cliffs of Grand Turk and Middle Caicos.