In 2022, we published a series looking at the stories behind the names of all 50 state capitals (Part I, Part II, Part III). There were some fascinating stories in there (like the “red stick” of Baton Rouge or the fact that Nashville was once Nashborough) and even a few surprises (like Topeka was “a good place to grow potatoes”). International geography offers even more interesting etymologies and stories. This week, we’re going even further and exploring the origins and meanings behind the names of seven well-known world cities.

Bangkok

The history of Thailand’s capital dates back to the mid-16th century, but the name Bangkok is older than that. It is believed that the name combines Bang “Village or district” and makok “Wild plums” – Bangkok is therefore the “district of wild plums”.

But this name is used by outsiders; in Thailand it is called Krung Thep Maha Makhon “the great city of angels”, or simply Krung Thep. And that is not even the full name. According to the Guinness Book of Recordsthe full name of what we call Bangkok is the longest place name in the world and contains 168 letters in the romanized spelling: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasitwhich means: “The city of the gods, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city (Ayutthaya) of the god Indra, the great capital of the world, endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city full of enormous royal palaces resembling the celestial abode where the reincarnated gods reside, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarm.”

Chicago

Founded as a city in 1837 and growing rapidly, Chicago attracted traders from all over the world due to its location at the mouth of a major river connecting Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. Although it is a lucrative location for east-west trade, its name suggests a potential downside to the area: its smell. Chicago comes from the French-Canadian form of an Algonquian word, either Fox for “place of wild onions” or Ojibwa for “at the skunk place”.

Dublin

Long, long ago, a monastery was built near the east coast of Hibernia, where the River Poddle flowed into the River Liffey. The confluence of the two waterways created a particularly deep, dark pool, after which the monastery was named. It was called Dublin Monastery, from dub “black” and linn “Pool or pond”. This was later plundered by Vikings, but the place name remained – although we know it today Dublinand Hibernia is now called Ireland.

That the name of Ireland’s capital city literally translates to “black pool” is a little odd considering that if you drive about 30 miles north and then directly east across the Irish Sea, you arrive in the town of Blackpool, a seaside resort on the west coast of England.

Fukushima

I would wager that most Americans had never heard of Fukushima Prefecture before the 2011 tsunami caused a nuclear disaster in the region. Given that the place is now so closely associated with disasters, its name is downright ironic. In Japanese, it is Shima means “island” and fuku means “good luck” or “good fate”. The site of the 2011 nuclear accident is therefore literally “lucky island”.

Hong Kong

If you don’t like the smell of Chicago, try this metropolis on the South China Sea. Hong Kong comes from Heung Gong, the Cantonese pronunciation of Chinese Xianggang School. The translation of all three words is “fragrant harbor,” probably a reference to the incense factories (and perhaps opium factories) that once existed there.

Kathmandu

According to legend, the area around present-day Kathmandu was once completely covered by a huge lake called Nagdaha. The Bodhisattva Manjushree came there more than two millennia ago and split the Chobhar hill in half with his flaming sword, allowing the lake to drain away and creating land suitable for settlement. When a new village was founded there in 723 AD, it was given the name Manju-Patan, “City of Manju”.

In 1596, Raja Lachmina Singh had a temple built there, said to be made from the wood of a single tree. This temple became so central to life in the area that the region was named Kathmandu, after the Nepalese words Kath “Wood” and mandir “Temple.” Today it is Nepal’s capital and largest city.

Reykjavik

According to tradition, the Norse Ingólfur Arnarson founded a settlement on a peninsula in southwestern Iceland in 874 AD; it remained a relatively small fishing village and trading post until the 20th century. Two things Iceland is known for are its natural hot springs and its volcanic activity – which produces steam and smoke. So it should come as no surprise that Iceland’s capital derives its name from the Old Norse word. Reykja “smoking” and vik “Bay” because Reykjavík is located on a bay that could be described as a “smoky bay”.