The Marshall Islands are a group of small islands located in the Pacific Ocean. Apart from the commonly used name, there are various synonyms for the Marshall Islands. One of the synonyms is the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which is the official name of the country. Another synonym is the Marshalls, which is a shortened version of the original name. The islands were formerly called "the Gilbert and Marshall Islands," after the British explorer Thomas Gilbert, who discovered them in 1788. Other synonyms include "Majol," the name often used by locals, and "Kānaloa," a traditional name used by some Marshallese people. Overall, the Marshall Islands, no matter the synonyms, remain an important part of the Pacific region.