Places Name After People Unveiled
24 Places with Unexpected Namesakes
Have you ever paused to consider the stories behind the names of the places you know? Many locations have intriguing histories, and surprisingly often, they were named after specific individuals. Sure, some are obvious – Washington D.C. pays homage to America's first president, and New Zealand's Wellington honors a famed British Duke. But there are many others with less readily apparent origins. Let's dive into six places that might surprise you with the people behind their names:
Seattle
When the first American settlers reached the Pacific Northwest in 1851, they initially established a town they called New York. This group, known as the Denny Party, soon relocated to the mouth of the Duwamish River, a region inhabited by Native American tribes.
Chief Si'ahl (or Sealth) led the local Duwamish and Suquamish peoples. He believed in the potential for peaceful coexistence and trade with the new arrivals. His close ally, David Swinson 'Doc' Maynard (a doctor, businessman and Justice of the Peace), championed the idea of renaming the settlement after the influential Chief. The Anglicized version of Si'ahl transformed into 'Seattle.' Anecdotes suggest that Chief Si'ahl wasn't initially keen on the idea, but eventually agreed in exchange for a small annual payment from the town's residents as symbolic recognition of their use of the land.
Kyiv
Evidence suggests that people have inhabited the area we now call Kyiv in Ukraine for an astounding number of years. Archaeological findings indicate settlements may have existed here as far back as 3,000 BC.
Ukrainian legend tells the story of how Kyiv was founded by three brothers – Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv – along with their sister Lybid. It's said they built settlements on three hills around 482 AD. As these communities expanded and joined, the resulting city was named Kyiv in honor of the eldest brother. The neighboring Lybid River takes its name from the sister. Some historians lend credence to this tale, suggesting that Kyi may have been a real prince of the Polans, an East Slavic tribe.
Image Credit - Freepik
The Seychelles
The Seychelles archipelago evokes images of a tropical paradise, with its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. It's the kind of place that tops many travel bucket lists. Yet, it might surprise you to learn that these idyllic islands were named after...an accountant!
Uninhabited until the 18th century, this collection of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean became a French colony in 1756. Corneille Nicholas Morphey, a French East India Company captain, claimed the islands for France and bestowed upon them the name of the French Minister of Finance at the time, Jean-Moreau de Séchelle.
Knutsford
The story of King Canute (or Cnut the Great, in Old Norse) is a familiar one. Legend has it that he sat on the beach, commanding the waves to stop as a demonstration to his followers that even a king's power has limits. Less well-known is that this monarch, who might have gotten his feet wet, also lent his name to a quaint market town in Cheshire, England.
The tale goes that in 1016, King Canute crossed (or forded) the River Lily at a point that became known as Cunetesford. This name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, and over time it gradually transformed into what we know today as Knutsford.
Rome
Imagine traveling back to ancient times and asking a Roman citizen about the origins of their magnificent city. There's a good chance they'd tell you the tale of Rome's founding by the twins Romulus and Remus. These legendary sons of a priestess, Rea Silvia, and Mars, the god of war, had a troubled start. Their grandfather, King Numitor, was overthrown by his brother Amulius, who ordered the twins to be drowned in the Tiber River. However, they survived the ordeal and, as the story goes, were cared for by a she-wolf. The iconic Capitoline Wolf statue, depicting the wolf with the twins, remains a symbol of Rome to this day.
As they grew, Romulus and Remus sought to establish their own city. Disagreements and conflict led to Romulus taking charge and creating Rome, becoming its first king. While the tale is a founding myth, many ancient historians, from Plutarch to Livy, documented it.
Bolivia
What we now know as Bolivia was once part of the extensive Inca Empire, until Spanish conquistadores invaded it and much of South America in the early 1500s. Rebellions and uprisings against Spanish rule were a constant threat. In the early 19th century, the region then called Upper Peru (or Charcas) was at the front lines of the Latin American wars for independence from Spain.
Simón Bolívar, born in Venezuela, became a central figure in these struggles, leading the charge for freedom. His heroism and leadership inspired many, making him a revered figure throughout the newly independent nations. When Upper Peru declared independence in 1825, they chose to honor Bolívar by naming their new country Bolivia.
Vancouver
The vibrant Canadian city of Vancouver, known for its stunning natural beauty and bustling harbor, bears the name of a meticulous British explorer. Captain George Vancouver of the Royal Navy charted the intricate coastline of the Pacific Northwest from 1792 to 1794. His detailed maps were invaluable to mariners, and his name ultimately became attached to both the city in British Columbia and Vancouver Island.
Darwin
Australia's Northern Territory capital, Darwin, is famed for its unique wildlife and proximity to incredible natural wonders. However, its namesake comes from a very different background. The HMS Beagle, a British survey ship, reached this region in 1839. Onboard was a young naturalist named Charles Darwin. While known for his groundbreaking work on evolution, during this particular voyage he was still early in his career. A crewmate, Lieutenant John Lort Stokes, named the natural harbor they'd discovered in Darwin's honor, recognizing the budding scientist's potential.
Image Credit - Freepik
El Salvador
This Central American nation, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, holds a special distinction. It's the only country in the region named after a religious figure—specifically, Jesus Christ. When Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado conquered the area in the 1520s, he established the settlement of San Salvador, which translates to"Holy Savior". Over time, the name came to represent the entire region, ultimately becoming the nation's official title upon independence from Spain.
Tasmania
This island state off the southern tip of Australia brings to mind images of rugged wilderness and its unique mascot, the Tasmanian devil. Intriguingly, its namesake never set foot upon its shores. Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to sight the island in 1642. He named it Van Diemen’s Land after Anthony van Diemen, the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, who had sponsored his expedition. While the name was later changed to honor Tasman himself, the mark of the original patron remains on the state map – the capital city still bears the name Hobart.
Mauritius
The name of this island nation in the Indian Ocean might seem far removed from its European colonial history. Initially, Arab sailors knew it as Dina Arobi. Later, the Portuguese encountered it in the early 16th century but didn't establish a permanent presence. It was the Dutch who established the first lasting colony on the island in 1598, naming it Mauritius after Prince Maurice of Nassau, the ruler of the Netherlands at the time. Even after changing hands between the French and the British, the name Mauritius endured.
Colombia
This South American nation draws its name from an iconic historical figure, yet one who never actually traveled there. Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer who sailed under Spain's flag, is credited with opening the Americas to European exploration. While he never reached the region that became Colombia, his global influence shaped history. Inspired by his legacy, the name "Colombia" was first proposed by the revolutionary Francisco de Miranda as a reference for all of the New World. However, it was Simón Bolívar who championed its use specifically for the newly-formed nation, originally known as Gran Colombia, which encompassed several modern-day South American countries.
Cook Islands
Sprinkled across the South Pacific Ocean, the Cook Islands evoke images of swaying palms and pristine beaches. Named for the famed explorer Captain James Cook, this archipelago wasn't his initial discovery. He actually encountered the islands during his third Pacific voyage in the 1770s. Originally he named them the Hervey Islands, but in the 1820s, a Russian admiral, Adam Johann von Krusenstern, published an atlas that referenced them as the Cook Islands. The name stuck, honoring the British explorer's contributions to mapping the vast Pacific.
St. Petersburg
With its grand palaces and canals, St. Petersburg often feels like a slice of Europe in Russia. This was no accident. Founded by the ambitious Tsar Peter the Great in 1703, the city's name reflects both a Westernizing vision and Peter's own ego. Taking inspiration from his travels in Europe, he named it after Saint Peter, his patron saint. The use of "Sankt-Peterburg" mirrors how cities like Petersburg in Germany were named, adding a touch of Dutch and Germanic influence.
Victoria
Found in various corners of the former British Empire, the name "Victoria" proliferated during the reign of the long-lived monarch, Queen Victoria. Cities, states, waterfalls, and more bear her mark. Among these are Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe. David Livingstone, a Scottish explorer, was the first European to record sighting the falls in 1855. He chose to honor his Queen by naming this natural wonder after her. However, the indigenous name, Mosi-oa-Tunya ("The Smoke that Thunders") persists and is widely used alongside the grander colonial moniker.
Bismarck
Found in the heart of North Dakota, USA, the city of Bismarck stands as a curious example of places named in hopes of political gain. In the 1870s, as the Northern Pacific Railroad pushed west, the railroad company sought to attract German investment. Naming a town after the powerful German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, seemed like a shrewd move. Whether it directly led to financial backing is debated, but the name has remained, giving a small North Dakota city a surprisingly strong connection to grand European politics.
Swaziland (eSwatini)
This small nation in southern Africa recently underwent a significant change – the return to its traditional name. For many years, it was known as Swaziland, a name that was derived from King Mswati II, who ruled in the 19th century. His influence and power solidified the identity of the Swazi people. When the country gained independence from Britain in 1968, the name stuck. However, in 2018, King Mswati III officially changed the name to eSwatini, meaning "the land of the Swazis," reconnecting more directly with the nation's cultural heritage.
Houston
A major metropolis in Texas, Houston boasts a vibrant space program and sprawling urban landscape. It might seem far removed from the figure who gave it its name. Sam Houston was a key figure in Texas history. He led armies to victory against Mexico, securing Texas independence, and later served as president of the Republic of Texas, as well as a US senator. His influence was so substantial that the founders of the new city in 1836 chose to name it in his honor.
The Philippines
This Southeast Asian archipelago, composed of over 7,000 islands, was named after a Spanish king. The explorer Ruy López de Villalobos first reached the islands in 1543 during Spain's expansion into the Pacific. He named them Las Islas Filipinas in honor of Prince Philip of Asturias, later King Philip II of Spain. Under his rule, Spanish colonial power cemented itself in the region, and the name endured even after centuries of upheaval and a change in colonial powers.
San Francisco
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and steep hills immediately bring San Francisco, California, to mind. The city's name actually has roots in its Spanish colonial origins. In 1776, Spanish missionaries established a mission there and named it Misión San Francisco de Asís, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Order. The name was shortened over time, eventually becoming the San Francisco we know today.
Queenstown
Nestled amidst New Zealand's breathtaking South Island scenery lies the resort city of Queenstown. But its name doesn't stem from natural beauty. Instead, it pays tribute to the British Empire's reach. In the 1860s, during a gold rush when the town was established, miners and settlers showed their patriotic fervor by naming their new settlement in honor of Queen Victoria. This sentiment was common across colonies, a way to show loyalty to the far-off monarch.
Ho Chi Minh City
Formerly known as Saigon, the largest city in Vietnam was renamed after a pivotal revolutionary leader. Ho Chi Minh dedicated his life to fighting for Vietnamese independence, first against the French and then against the Americans during the Vietnam War. Following communist victory in 1975, the city was renamed in his honor. While "Saigon" persists in casual use, especially referring to the city center, Ho Chi Minh City is the official name, symbolizing the nation's hard-won independence.
Adelaide
Australia's southern city of Adelaide boasts a planned layout and elegant parks. Its name evokes ideas of refinement, which seems fitting since it honors a queen consort. When Adelaide was founded in 1836, it was named for Queen Adelaide, the wife of Britain's King William IV. The name was chosen for both its noble associations and as an act of gratitude to the king for supporting the establishment of the South Australian colony.
Islamabad
The relatively young capital of Pakistan holds a unique linguistic distinction in its name. It was built in the 1960s as a planned city to replace Karachi as the capital. The name Islamabad deliberately combines two distinct concepts. "Islam" references the country's major religion, while "-abad" is a common Persian suffix, meaning "inhabited place" or "city." Together, the name reflects Pakistan's identity as a modern Islamic nation.
