But, the actual origin was more direct. That is, the pineapple got its name from the pine cone itself. ... The first English explorers who came across this exotic fruit thought they resembled pine cones, which they already called pineapples. So, naturally, they called this fruit a pineapple.

Are pineapples named after pinecones?

Pineapples don't grow on pine trees, and they are definitely not apples. That's how the pinecone got its first name, in fact — the pinecone is the fruit of the pine tree, so they were actually called "pineapples" first (this usage dates back to the 14th century). ...

Why do people call pineapples Ananas?

It was named "pineapple" by the European explorers due to its resemblance to a pine cone. In many countries, however, the prized fruit has a name similar to "ananas" that comes from the Tupi word "nanas," meaning "excellent fruit," and was recorded by André Thevet, a French Franciscan priest and explorer in 1555.