According to legend, the islands' name, meaning "Islands of Turning," refers to Zetes and Calaïs, sons of Boreas, who voyaged with the Argonauts.
De acordo coa lenda, o nome das illas, que quere dicir "illas do retorno", fai referencia a Zetes e Calais, fillos de Bóreas, que viaxaron cos Argonautas.