Etymological World Cities - "B" Quiz

Answer: Brussels

The name Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, has a historical and linguistic origin rooted in Old Dutch. The name "Brussels" comes from "Bruocsella" or "Broekzele," with "broek" meaning "marsh" and "zele" meaning "settlement" or "home." This reflects the city's early history as a settlement in a marshy area.

The name was recorded as early as 695 CE by Saint Vindicianus, the Bishop of Cambrai, in his writings. This early mention highlights the city's long history and significance in the region. Over the centuries, Brussels has grown from a small marshy settlement into a major European capital.

Answer: Boston

The city of Boston, Massachusetts, derives its name from a town in Lincolnshire, England, called Boston. The English town's name is a contraction of "St. Botolph's Town" or "Botolph's Stone," named after St. Botolph, a 7th-century English monk who was the patron saint of travelers.

When English Puritans established the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, they named their new settlement Boston to honor their hometown and bring a piece of their heritage to the New World. This connection to St. Botolph and the English Boston reflects the settlers' desire to maintain cultural and religious ties to their origins while building a new community in America.

Answer: Beijing

The name Beijing, the capital city of China, has a straightforward etymology rooted in its geography. "Beijing" translates to "northern capital" in Mandarin, with "bei" meaning "north" and "jing" meaning "capital." This name distinguishes it from Nanjing, which means "southern capital" ("Nan" meaning "south").

The distinction between the two cities highlights their historical roles as major political and cultural centers. Beijing has been the capital of various Chinese dynasties and the People's Republic of China, cementing its status as the political heart of the nation. Meanwhile, Nanjing has also served as a capital in different periods.

Answer: Buenos Aires

The name Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, has its origins in Spanish and means "good airs" or, more accurately to its historical meaning, "fair winds." The origins of the city's name are often attributed to Spanish explorer Pedro de Mendoza, who founded it in 1536. Mendoza named the settlement "Nuestra Señora Santa María del Buen Aire" in honor of the Virgin Mary and in gratitude for the favorable winds that brought him and his expedition across the Atlantic Ocean.

This name was later shortened to Buenos Aires. Mendoza's naming of the city reflects both his religious devotion and the critical role of maritime navigation during the age of exploration.

Answer: Brisbane

The city of Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia, is named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, a British army officer and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of New South Wales from 1821 to 1825. The name honors his contributions to the development of the region.

However, Brisbane is also known by its traditional Indigenous name, Meanjin, which comes from the Turrbal language and means "place shaped like a spike." This name reflects the area's rich Aboriginal heritage and its significance long before European settlement.

Answer: Baghdad

The name Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq, has an ancient and intriguing etymology. The city's name is derived from Middle Persian, with "Bagh" meaning "god" and "dad" meaning "given" or "gift," collectively translating to "God-given" or "Gift of God." This name reflects the city's esteemed status in ancient times. Baghdad was founded in the 8th century by the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mansur and quickly became a major center of learning, culture, and trade in the Islamic world.

Interestingly, similar etymological roots can be found in the name of Bagram, a city in Afghanistan, which also means "God-given" or "God's gift" in Middle Persian. Both cities' names highlight the cultural and linguistic connections that spanned across the Persian Empire and influenced the broader region.

Answer: Budapest

The name Budapest, the capital of Hungary, reflects the merging of two distinct cities, Buda and Pest, situated on opposite sides of the Danube River. Buda's name likely originates from a derivative of the Slavic word "boda," meaning "water," while Pest's name comes from a Slavic word meaning "oven" or "cave," referring to the area's hot springs and caves.

In 1873, the two cities officially merged to form Budapest, motivated by the desire to create a unified, powerful capital that could drive economic growth and development.

This unification aimed to enhance administrative efficiency and foster a stronger sense of national identity.

Answer: Beirut

The name Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, has a rich and diverse linguistic history. It is believed to originally come from the Canaanite word "be'erot," meaning "wells," reflecting the abundance of natural springs in the area. Over time, the city's name underwent various transformations as it was conquered and influenced by different civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans.

This resulted in variations such as "Berytus" in Greek and "Biruta" in Arabic. Eventually, the name evolved into its current form, Beirut, reflecting the city's position as a cultural crossroads in the Middle East.

Answer: Birmingham

The city of Birmingham, situated in the West Midlands of England, derives its name from the Old English words "Beorma" and "ingas," which mean "the people of Beorma." Beorma was likely a local chieftain or tribal leader, and the term "ingas" denotes a group of people or descendants. Thus, Birmingham was originally known as the settlement of Beorma's people, or the Beormingas. Over time, the name evolved into Birmingham as the city grew and developed into a major industrial center during the Industrial Revolution.

Answer: Bangkok (Krung Thep)

The city known as Krung Thep in Thai, commonly referred to as Bangkok by foreigners, has a unique and intriguing etymology. The name Krung Thep translates to "City of Angels" or "City of Devas" in English. However, its full ceremonial name is much longer. This lengthy name is recorded in the Guinness World Records as the world's longest place name.

The ceremonial name includes various descriptors of the city's greatness and significance; however, for practical purposes, locals often simply refer to it as Krung Thep or Bangkok when speaking with foreigners. The use of Bangkok by foreigners likely originated from the misinterpretation of the city's name by early Western travelers and traders.