[Verginius Rufus]

The Latin author in 1606 was simply reporting the African name, not offering an etymology of the word.

Let's not forget the late lamented statesman, Canaan Banana, first President of Zimbabwe.

[Pollster1]

Let's not forget the late lamented statesman, Canaan Banana, first President of Zimbabwe.

It's only after his demise that Zimbabwe became a banana republic.