Ever Wonder Why These 15 Countries Are Called What They Are?
Country names often fade into the background of a map and eventually become fixed and obvious. But the truth is, they’re anything but. These names are often rooted in ancient riddles, happy accidents, and straight-up misinterpretations.
In Europe, where languages and borders have tangled for centuries, names often hold unexpected backstories. Let’s learn more about these countries whose names are doing more behind the scenes than you might think.
Germany
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This is one country with dozens of names, depending on who you ask. The English say Germany, a name borrowed from the Romans, who called the region Germania without ever agreeing on what that actually meant. Germans themselves call it Deutschland, meaning “land of the people.” The French went with Allemagne, after a tribe called the Alemanni. Over in the Czech Republic, it’s Německo—literally “land of the mute ones,” a reference to people who didn’t speak Slavic. Germany, it turns out, is a linguistic hall of mirrors.
Ireland
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Ireland’s name traces back to Ériu, a goddess from pre-Christian Irish mythology. She was one of three sisters representing the land, and hers was the name chosen by early settlers. In Gaelic, “Éire” refers to her directly. Combine that with Old English “land,” and it becomes Ireland—one of the few countries named after a woman.
Albania
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If you ever visit Albania, don’t ask locals about “Albania.” They call their country Shqipëri, often interpreted as “Land of the Eagles.” And yes, the eagle’s right there on the flag. The English name comes from ancient Latin sources, possibly referring to early tribes or pale mountain ranges (albus = white).
Kosovo
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“Field of blackbirds” sounds less like a country name and more like the title of a war poem. But that’s the literal meaning of Kosovo Polje, the name of a grassy plain where a bloody 14th-century battle changed Balkan history. Eventually, that battlefield became shorthand for the entire region.
Spain
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The name “Spain” comes from the Carthaginian word “Ispania,” meaning “land of rabbits”—or so it seemed. Later evidence suggests “sphan” referred to hyraxes, not rabbits. Romans adapted it to “Hispania.” Ancient coins even feature animals at the feet of female figures.
Italy
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Ancient Italic tribes had a soft spot for young cattle. They used the Oscan word víteliú, meaning “land of calves,” and bulls even showed up on their coins. One legend tells of a sacred bull that swam across the sea, picked a homeland, and gave the area its name. Later, the Greeks streamlined víteliú into Italia, and it stuck.
Finland
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“Finland” was a Swedish invention, an outsider’s label for a place of hunters and gatherers (finnr being the Old Norse word for such people). But inside the country, people call it Suomi, and no one can agree on where that name comes from. Some say it means “swamp land,” others suggest it’s linked to words for fish scales or even shelter.
France
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The Franks gave France its name, but the word itself might trace back to something sharper than identity. One theory claims Frank comes from the franca, which is a type of javelin the tribe was fond of hurling. Another point to an old Germanic root meaning “free.” There’s also talk of a legendary leader named Francio.
Malta
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Honey may have named an entire island. The Greeks called Malta Melitē, from meli, meaning honey, probably thanks to its native bees. Another theory traces the name to the Phoenician Maleth, or “refuge.”. Both ideas work. It’s a place known for sweetness and shelter, and the Romans just kept the name going, switching it up to Melita.
Belgium
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The Belgae were a confederation of tribes who lived in what is now northern France and Belgium. Their name may have come from a Proto-Celtic root meaning “to swell with anger.” They’re not exactly cuddly, but it matches their reputation: fierce, independent, and not terribly fond of Roman invaders. Julius Caesar’s writings gave them a place in history, and eventually, in European geography.
Norway
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“Norway” comes from Old Norse “Norðrvegr,” meaning “North Way.” It referred to the sea route taken along the coast by early sailors and traders. Norse mythology adds another twist by crediting a figure named Nór with discovering and naming the region. Either way, the name serves as a directional label and a saga detail.
North Macedonia
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It’s not every country named for how tall its people supposedly were. But the ancient Greek word Makedonía may come from makednos, meaning “tall” or “high.” Some think it referred to mountain-dwellers, others to literal height. It helped give the region its name, which today carries the added label “North” after long disputes over who gets to claim the legacy of ancient Macedonia.
Cyprus
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You’ve probably used copper wiring or cookware, but did you know the metal got its name from this Mediterranean island? Kúpros, the Greek name for Cyprus, is the root of the word “copper.” Thanks to the island’s once-rich mines, shipwrecks from the Bronze Age have turned up tons of Cypriot copper en route to Greece. The metal may be gone, but the name shines on.
Hungary
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Hungary wears two names at once. Internationally, it’s called Hungary, a word linked to the Onogur—an alliance of ten tribes that roamed the steppes. But within the country, people say Magyarország, or “land of the Magyars,” who settled in the Carpathian Basin over a thousand years ago.
Liechtenstein
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This tiny Alpine nation wasn’t named for a river, tribe, or terrain, but for a family. The Liechtensteins were nobles who bought up land in the Holy Roman Empire and named it after themselves. The name means “bright stone,” and refers to their ancestral castle.