The Spanish word 'mallorquín' (meaning 'Mallorcan' or 'relating to Mallorca') comes from combining 'Mallorca' with the Spanish demonym suffix '-ín'. The name 'Mallorca' itself derives from Latin 'maiorica' meaning 'the greater (island)', which comes from Latin 'maior' meaning 'greater'. This name was given to distinguish it as the larger of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Over time, the Latin 'maiorica' evolved phonetically into Spanish 'Mallorca', and adding the demonym suffix created 'mallorquín' to refer to people or things from this island.

A related and simpler Spanish word is 'mayor', which also comes from the same Latin root 'maior' meaning 'greater'. While 'mallorquín' became specifically associated with the island of Mallorca, 'mayor' retained the general meaning of 'greater' or 'larger' in Spanish.

The English word 'major' is etymologically related to 'mallorquín', as it also comes from Latin 'maior'. While 'mallorquín' developed into a geographical term, 'major' retained meanings related to importance, size, or rank in English. The English word 'mayor' is another cognate that developed from the same Latin root, specifically referring to the chief administrator of a city or town.