Mayda, the Philippine Information Agency representative in Marinduque, traces the name of the province to "Maring" and "Duque", equivalent to "Maganda" and "Malakas" who emerged into being from a split bamboo tree.

Dindo, the Department of Tourism director in Marinduque, has three versions: "Mariin"  (from the word "dinit") and "Duque"; the phrase "Mara-on-duque" meaning, "The sea is everywhere;" and the name of Mount Dinalig, which is the highest mountain in the province.