Negros was originally called Buglas, an old Hiligaynon word thought to mean "cut off", as it is believed that the island was separated from a larger landmass by rising waters during the last ice age.
Negros blev oprindeligt kaldt Buglas, et gammelt hiligaynon ord, hvilket menes at betyde "afskåret", da man mener, at øen var blevet adskilt fra en større landmasse på grund af store vandmængder under den sidste istid.