Captain Cook discovered Kiritimati (for the Europeans) on Dec 24, 1777, and accordingly named it Christmas Island. The island has only been continuously occupied since 1882, but archaeological remains show it had been inhabited sporadically by Polynesians throughout the centuries before whitey's arrival. But once the British claimed it as their own, it became part of the colony of the Gilbert Islands. In 1979, the island colony became its own nation, and was deemed Kiribati, with this particular island becoming Kiritimati, which looks a little daunting to pronounce to the average English speaker. But actually it's quite simple:
In the indigenous language (known as Gilbertese), "ti" is pronounced as "s;" likewise there is no sound for "g" or "l." Therefore, in Gilbertese, Kiribati is pronounced "Keer-ih-bahss," and is the closest pronunciation possible to create the word "Gilberts." Likewise, Kiritimati is the local language equivalent of Christmas and is pronounced "Keer-ees-mahss."

Christmas Island (Kiritimati)
Kiribati

© Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli