My guess is that it comes from the Carib tribe that lived in these islands back when Columbus came across. There were actually 2 tribes, the Caribs and Arawaks, but the Caribs were more dominant, and virtually wiped out the Arawak tribe. This is purely from memory from history class when I lived in Trinidad. Someone correct me if I am wrong. JB?
Malexander, that sounds right on the money to me and to answer the scond part of his question the Caribs basically had control of most of the islands and not the mainland hence the name was attached to the strech of islands leading from Trinidad in the South to the Keys in the North.
Wow, didnt think I could remember that far back sitting in social studies class learning about the Caribs and Arawaks.