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The names of countries often stem from a mix of myth and ancient beliefs. For instance, Greenland and Iceland’s names were coined by Viking explorers. Floki Vildegarson named Iceland after its icy landscapes following a series of misfortunes, while Erik the Red called Greenland for its verdant valleys to attract settlers, despite the stark contrast in their climates today. Explore 10 more captivating stories behind how countries received their names.
10. China: The Middle Kingdom
The world’s most populous country has been known by many names. The term “China” originates from the Qin Dynasty (pronounced “chin”), founded by Qin Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor. Additionally, the name “Cathay” was popularized by Marco Polo, who used it to describe northern China, while referring to the south as “Mangi.” This legacy lives on in names like Cathay Pacific Airlines and its Marco Polo Club, catering to today’s frequent travelers.
China is also referred to as “Zhongguo,” a combination of Zhong (“center”) and Guo (“nation”). While it directly translates to “the central country,” a more fitting interpretation is “The Middle Kingdom.”
For millennia, the Chinese believed their land was the heart of the world under heaven. The farther one ventured from this center, the more uncivilized and harsh the territories became. This belief held some truth, as beyond their borders and the Great Wall lay nomadic tribes like the Xionnu, Shan Yue raiders, and the vast Mongol and Oirat hordes. The term “Zhongguo” also serves as the abbreviated form of “The People’s Republic of China.”
9. Armenia: Tracing the Roots
Armenia, a small landlocked country surrounded by Turkey, Iran, and Georgia, boasts a rich history intertwined with monotheistic faiths. It is recognized as the first nation to embrace Christianity as its official state religion in 301 AD.
The name Armenia originates from the Old Persian term “Armina,” but the country also refers to itself as “Hayk,” named after a descendant of Noah who is believed to have settled near Mount Ararat. A more elaborate interpretation calls it “The Land of Noah’s Great-Great-Grandson, Hayk.” According to legend, Hayk temporarily left to help build the Tower of Babel and returned to defeat a Babylonian king who had invaded his territory.
Later, the nation’s name evolved to Hayastan, with the Persian suffix “‑stan” meaning “land.”
Another tale suggests Armenia’s name comes from “Aram,” a descendant of Hayk, who some locals regard as the forefather of all Armenians.
8. Nauru: A Warm Welcome and a Tropical Paradise
On November 8, 1798, British Captain John Fearn, en route to China via New Zealand, discovered a remote Pacific island. The islanders left a lasting impression on him with their hospitality, prompting Fearn to name the island “Pleasant Island” after their warm reception.
Nauru, the world’s smallest republic, also bears a name rooted in its native language. Derived from the Nauruan word Anaoero, which translates to “I go to the beach,” the name reflects the island’s strong connection to its coastal identity, distinct from other Oceanic languages.
Nauru was once a renowned travel destination, celebrated for its stunning beaches. However, its fortunes declined over time, leading to economic struggles. The nation even partnered with Australia to establish a detention center for processing asylum seekers offshore.
7. Argentina: A Land Rich in Myths and Legends
Juan Diaz de Solis, a Spaniard accused of murdering his wife in Portugal, fled to Spain and joined the age of exploration. On October 8, 1515, he led three ships in search of a westward route to the Pacific. Discovering an estuary, he named it “Mar Dulce,” or “fresh sea,” and ventured further inland. Tragically, near modern-day Buenos Aires, he and his crew were ambushed and devoured by cannibals, witnessed in horror by the remaining sailors.
Francisco de Torres, his brother-in-law, assumed command but faced further misfortune when his ship was wrecked. Despite this, the indigenous people welcomed them, offering gleaming ornaments crafted from pure silver.
These encounters sparked legends. Years later, explorer Sebastian Cabot met survivors who spoke of the natives’ riches and a mythical “Mountain of Silver” (“Sierra de la Plata”). De Solis’s discovery became known as the “River of Silver” (“Rio de la Plata”). Over time, the name evolved into “the land of silver,” or Tierra Argentina, with “Argentina” meaning “silver.”
6. Chile: A Tale of Spice and Mystery
No Thanksgiving feast is complete without turkey, a bird whose name often confuses young minds due to its association with a country. (Originally called the “Turkey coq,” items from Constantinople’s ports, like Persian rugs and Indian flour, were similarly labeled with the “Turkey” prefix.)
Chile’s name likely comes from the Mapuche word “Chilli,” meaning “where the land ends.” It’s possible the Mapuche, traveling west from Argentina, discovered the continent’s edge at Chile’s Pacific shores. Another theory suggests it originates from “cheele-cheele,” the Mapuche imitation of a bird’s call.
Spanish conquistadors learned these stories from the Incas and, upon returning to Europe, proudly referred to themselves as “The Men of Chilli.”
5. Spain: A Legacy of Misnomers
Spanish explorers often named newly discovered lands based on their observations, some of which endured for centuries. For instance, in 1499, Alonso de Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci encountered indigenous people living in stilt houses along the coast and rivers. They named the region Venezuela, meaning “Little Venice.”
This tradition of naming lands based on misconceptions dates back millennia. The ancient Phoenicians, pioneers of maritime exploration, discovered territories west of the Mediterranean around 3,000 years ago. Mistaking the local wildlife for hyraxes (shrew mice), they called the area “I-shapan-im,” or “Island of the Hyrax.” Later, the Romans adapted the name to “Hispania” as they expanded their empire.
Interestingly, the creatures on the so-called “Island of the Hyrax” or “Hispania” were not rodents at all—they were actually rabbits. This means Spain, the empire of explorers who named countless places based on myths or misunderstandings, owes its own name to a similar error in observation.
4. Moldova: A Tribute to Loyalty
Roman prince Dragos spent days hunting a wild bison, or wisent, with his companions and hunting dogs. Just as hope seemed lost, his beloved dog Molda persisted, tracking the bison tirelessly. Molda’s determination led Dragos to the riverbank, where they finally cornered the beast together.
A fierce battle broke out, resulting in the bison’s death and the tragic loss of Molda. Overwhelmed by grief, Dragos honored his loyal dog by naming the surrounding territory after her.
While some accounts focus solely on the bison and the hunt, others include the prince’s dog as a central figure. Regardless, the legend became a national symbol, with the bison even featured on the country’s flag.
3. Czechoslovakia: The Hyphen War
After the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe, a humorous yet contentious debate emerged. The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, under Communist rule for three decades, had been overthrown during “The Velvet Revolution,” a peaceful transition. Politicians began deliberating on a new name for the emerging democracy.
Initially, they proposed removing the term “Socialist,” reverting to the older name, “Czechoslovak Republic.” However, Slovak leaders opposed this, arguing it marginalized their identity. They insisted on adding a hyphen to signify unity.
The revised proposal, “Czecho-Slovak Republic,” faced backlash from the Czechs, who found it unacceptable. Even Winston Churchill criticized the hyphen, calling it “a blemish to be avoided whenever possible.”
The debate continued, with Czechs and Slovaks adopting separate names. In Czech, it was “Czeskoslovenska federativni republika” (without a hyphen), while Slovaks used “Czesko-slovenska federativna republica” (with a hyphen). A month later, they settled on “Czech and Slovak Federative Republic,” which also failed to satisfy everyone.
The Hyphen War finally concluded on January 1, 1993. Unable to resolve governance disputes, politicians agreed it was best for the two nations to separate.
Ultimately, everyone found satisfaction. Much like the peaceful transition to democracy during the Velvet Revolution, the amicable separation was dubbed The Velvet Divorce, resulting in the formation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
2. Pakistan: The Nation and Its Acronym
In Urdu, “Pakistan” translates to “Land of the Pure,” with “Pak” meaning “pure” and “-stan” signifying “land.”
Pakistan officially came into existence on August 14, 1947, following the partition of India. However, the term “Pakistan” was first coined a decade earlier by Choudhry Rahmat Ali, a Muslim nationalist who championed the idea of a separate Muslim state in the region.
On January 28, 1933, Ali released his pamphlet titled “Now or Never,” addressing the British government with a plea for independence. He highlighted the aspirations of 30 million Muslims from regions like Punjab, Afghan Province, Kashmir, Sind, and Baluchistan. The initials of these areas formed the acronym “PAKSTAN.”
1. Canada: Tiny Settlements and Vast Emptiness
As French explorer Jacques Cartier navigated the St. Lawrence River, his indigenous guides pointed out the path to “Kanata,” referring to a village. However, no tribe identified themselves as Kanata; it was merely a term for various settlements during their migrations across the expansive, snow-covered terrain. Cartier likely misheard the word and named the land “Canada.”
A lesser-known story involves Spanish explorers seeking legendary treasures in the Americas. Finding none, they labeled the area “aca nada” or “ca nada,” meaning “nothing here.” Years later, when the French arrived, locals shouted “aca nada!” to indicate there was nothing of value for the colonizers. Mistaking this for the land’s name, the French began calling it “Canada.”
The fusion of these two narratives might best capture the essence of present-day Canada—comprising villages, towns, and cities, interspersed with vast stretches of uninhabited wilderness.
+The Overlooked Welshman Behind America’s Name
Recent discussions have highlighted how various civilizations, including some from Europe, may have reached the Americas centuries before Columbus. Columbus, upon landing in what is now Haiti, believed he was near India. However, Amerigo Vespucci, a member of his expeditions, recognized this as an entirely new continent. His accounts of this “new world” captivated two Germans revising an ancient geographical text, who then included Vespucci’s findings in their preface:
“A fourth part of the world has been uncovered by Amerigo Vespucci, and thus we may refer to it as ‘America’ or the land of Americo.”
An alternative theory points to Welshman Richard Amerike (or Ap Meryk), who financed a voyage that arrived in Newfoundland in 1496. Supporting this claim is the resemblance between the US flag’s “Stars and Stripes” and the coat-of-arms of the Amerike family.
