 The series of raids launched by the Chola Empire in the 11th century had weakened the once glorious Malay empire of Srivijaya . Although Greco @-@ Roman astronomer Ptolemy ( 90 – 168 ) identified a place called Sabana in the general area , the earliest written record of Singapore occurs in a Chinese account from the third century , describing the island of Pu Luo Chung ( 蒲 罗 中 ) . This was itself a transliteration from the Malay name " Pulau Ujong " , or " island at the end " ( of the Malay Peninsula ) . The Sejarah Melayu ( Malay Annals ) contains a tale of a prince of Srivijaya , Seri Teri Buana ( also known as Sang Nila Utama ) , who landed on the island during the 13th century . When he saw a lion , the prince took this as an auspicious sign and founded a settlement called Singapura , which means " Lion City " in Sanskrit . 
