MAKNA DAN ASAL USUL NAMA-NAMA PANTAI DI BALI: KAJIAN ONOMASTIK

Abstract

Beach names in Bali function not only as geographical identifiers but also as representations of the island's history, culture, and local identity. The rapid growth of tourism has influenced the meanings of many place names, making it important to examine their origins and semantic transformations. This study aims to analyze the etymological origins, semantic meanings, and semantic changes of five Balinese beach names: Kuta, Sanur, Pandawa, Melasti, and Balangan. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed using literature-based research supported by documentary analysis. Data were collected from academic literature, historical documents, and archival sources related to Balinese beach names. The analysis involved etymological tracing, semantic classification, and diachronic comparison. The findings indicate that the five beach names originated from socio-historical, religious-narrative, and physical-environmental backgrounds. Tourism development has transformed their meanings through semantic shifts, the coexistence of cultural and commercial meanings, and official renaming for destination branding. This study highlights the importance of preserving the original meanings of place names as part of Bali's cultural heritage.