Mangoes originated in India, Myanmar, and the Indochina Peninsula about 4,000 years ago and are known as the "King of Tropical Fruits." Their spread was heavily influenced by religion and trade: the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang introduced them to China in the 7th century AD; during the Age of Exploration in the 16th century, the Portuguese carried them from India to Africa and Brazil, while the Spanish transported them from the Philippines to Mexico, completing their global spread.

The name "mango" is a transliteration of the English word "mango," a name that became popular after the 17th century due to Western influence. The old name  (suāinn) in Taiwan may have originated from Southeast Asian languages, reflecting the historical context of mangoes being introduced from South Asia through different regions. It was originally called "檨仔" in Taiwan, which evolved into mango .

The early spread of mangoes was mainly through the Dutch, who introduced them to Taiwan in the 17th century during the Age of Exploration. Initially, it was the native mango (Chai Mangzi), which laid the foundation for Taiwanese mangoes. Later, in the 1910s, Southeast Asian varieties (such as White) were introduced, and in the 1950s, varieties such as Irwin and Kate were introduced from the United States. Through the breeding efforts of Taiwanese farmers (such as Jin Huang and Xia Xue), a diverse Taiwanese mango kingdom was developed.