Why was Almuñécar, Spain called "Sexi" in the past?

If you are wandering around Almuñécar you may notice quite a few businesses include the word Sexi. For example the Sexi Loro Park (the Sexi parrot park). There is a walking group called the Sexi Senderistas. (the sexi hikers)  You may be forgiven for thinking that the inhabitants of Almuñécar think of themselves as being "sexy" or that it is a hotbed for wifeswapping and swinging.   You may be disapointed to know that the word Sexi has no connection with Sex nor being sexy, it comes from the Phoenicians. 

Almuñécar, a coastal town in the province of Granada, Spain, was historically known as Sexi. This name dates back to its origins as a Phoenician settlement. The Phoenicians, who were skilled traders and navigators, established a colony there around 800 BCE and named it Sexi (also spelled Ex or Sex).

The name Sexi is believed to have derived from the Phoenician word "Sks" or "Seks", which referred to the local fish-salting industry, a major economic activity in the area. The town became renowned for its production of garum, a fermented fish sauce highly prized in the ancient world.

Under Roman rule, the town was formally named Firmium Julium Sexi, reflecting its status as a Roman municipality. The name Sexi persisted through the centuries, even after the fall of the Roman Empire, and is still referenced in historical and archaeological contexts today.

Over time, the name evolved into Almuñécar during the Islamic period, when the Moors ruled the Iberian Peninsula. The current name is derived from the Arabic "Al-Munakkab", meaning "surrounded by mountains."

Today, Almuñécar proudly embraces its rich history, with archaeological sites and museums showcasing its Phoenician, Roman, and Moorish heritage.