Why are Orangutans called Orangutans?

The name "orangutan" is derived from the Malay language and literally means "person of the forest" or "man of the forest". The name was first used by the Dutch naturalist Jacob Bontius in 1631, and it has been in use ever since. The name is appropriate because orangutans are indeed forest-dwelling creatures that spend most of their time in trees. They are also very intelligent and have a complex social structure, which is why they are sometimes referred to as "man of the forest".