The word calabasa is derived from the Persian term for melon (kharbuz). The French term calabasse, and hence the English " calabash ", is based on the older Spanish.
Calabaza is the common name used for Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne) in Florida and Puerto Rico. C. moschata (Duchense) is also popular in the Dominican Republic where it is called it is called auyama, ayote in Central America, zapallo in South America, and pumpkin and/or calabash in English-speaking islands.
