Ah, this is since the word „apple“ used to be equivalent to „fruit“, as in to describe any kind of fruit. That is the etymology of the word.

The word „apple“ has its root in the proto-germanic language, hence why it also appears as cognates in other germanic languages. https://twitter.com/1Obefiend/status/1252041720226697217

For instance, the word for „potato“ in dutch is „aardappel“, stemming from two words viz „aard“ (earth) and „appel“ (apple).

Fun fact: „potato“ used to also be called „earth-apple“ in english.

Another example is „pomegranate“, which in german is „Granatapfel“, again from two words viz „Granat“ (grenade) and „Apfel“ (apple)

Back to pineapple. I looked a bit, and the word „ananas“ (or „nanas“) seems to to be originating from either spanish or portuguese, which in turn was derived from the tupi or guarani word „nanas“.

Fun fact: „ananas“ used to denote „pineapple“ in english, and yes, „pineapple“ came to be as the original users of the word thought it resembles pine cones.

Extra:

Ever wonder why the „forbidden fruit“ in some understanding of the adam and eve mythos, is often thought of as literal apple ()?

Apparently it also has something to do with miscommunication/mistranslation regarding apple as fruits in general, and as „apple“ ()

Addendum: the „Granat“ did NOT mean „grenade“, just realised that.

„Granat“ in „Granatapfel“ came from the latin word „granatum“, meaning „corn/grain“. It is used in the term „malum granatum“ i.e. „pomegranate“

cf. the linnaean nomenclature for pomegranate viz „punica granatum“

Addendum: „Punica granatum“