The name is believed to be of Guarani origin, meaning fragrant.The word jacaranda was described in A supplement to Mr. Chambers's Cyclopædia, 1st ed. (1753) as "a name given by some authors to the tree the wood of which is the log-wood, used in dyeing and in medicine" and as being of Tupi-Guarani origin, by way of Portuguese. Although not consistent with the Guarani source, one common pronunciation of the name in English is given by /ˌdʒækəˈrændə/.