Nibong

Nibong is a Malay-language term used in different contexts in Malaysia and neighboring regions. In geography, it appears in several place names, especially in Penang. Nibong Tebal is a town in Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia. The name is also found in Sungai Nibong, a locality on the Penang mainland that reflects the historical association of the landscape with riverine and palm ecosystems. The toponym often signals proximity to palms or river environments.

Nibong is also a common name for certain palm species that grow in coastal and mangrove habitats. In regional usage, nibong refers to native palms such as the nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) and related species adapted to brackish water along river mouths and coastal plains in Southeast Asia. These palms produce materials for traditional crafts, thatching, and, in some communities, edible sap.

In cultural and historical contexts, nibong-related plants and places have shaped settlement patterns and local livelihoods. Today the term persists in maps, addresses, and local language to refer to places associated with palms or rivers, illustrating how natural resources influenced place-naming.