A novel bismaleimide (BMI), bis(4-maleimidophenoxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)naphthylmethane, containing a pendant naphthalene and aryl ether linkage, was synthesized from bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)naphthylmethane through multistep reactions. The BMT was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectroscopy. Owing to the pendant naphthalene group and aryl ether linkage in the backbone, the BMI possessed an excellent balance of properties; solubility, processability, and thermal stability. The BMI was cured with 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane at various mole ratios, and their thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis.