Duyung is a mythical creature in Malay folklore, often described as a beautiful mermaid-like being. It is believed that this name was applied to the real-life dugong because of its gentle nature, large size, and tendency to rest on the surface of the water, which might have reminded people of the mythical creature.
Interestingly, the name "dugong" is also used in some other languages, reflecting the widespread influence of Malay culture and language in Southeast Asia and beyond.