Where "Akubra" Comes From
The Akubra hat takes its name from a word said to come from the Birpai language, spoken by Aboriginal peoples of the mid-North Coast of New South Wales, meaning "head covering." The company officially adopted the name on 7 August 1912, according to its own records. The claim about the Birpai origin has been promoted by the company but has not been independently verified by linguists — making the date more certain than the etymology.
The manufacturing story is better documented: the company was founded in the 1870s by Benjamin Dunkerley, a Yorkshireman who had learned hatmaking in England. The felt used in Akubra hats is made from rabbit pelts — an irony in a country where rabbit overpopulation has been an ecological disaster. The wide brim and high crown were adapted to Australian conditions: sun protection, rain deflection, and durability in the bush. The hat became one of the most recognisable symbols of Australian rural identity, worn by stockmen, farmers, and prime ministers alike.
Source: Wikipedia — “Akubra”
"He wouldn't be seen on the farm without his Akubra."
How Aussies Actually Use It
"Akubra" is often used generically for any wide-brimmed Australian bush hat of this style.
It's closely tied to rural and outback identity, and remains a popular gift for visitors wanting an authentic piece of Australiana.
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