Wallabies are adorable marsupials that are native to Australia and New Guinea. They are smaller relatives of kangaroos and are also the namesake of Australia’s national rugby team. The term “wallaby” was first mentioned in an 1826 agricultural report of New South Wales, where it was referred to as a “wallabee.” Over time, the spelling variations of “walloby” and “whallabee” were used before the modern form was established in the late 19th century. The word “wallaby” is derived from the extinct Darug language, specifically from the noun “wolaba,” but beyond that, the exact origins remain a mystery to etymologists. The Darug language also gave us the term “pademelon,” which is another close relative of the kangaroo, originating from the word “badimaliyan.” Both “wallaby” and “pademelon” have seen an increase in usage since their introduction, with “wallaby” experiencing a more significant rise in popularity.
