![\"Country](\"http:\/\/www.babynamescube.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/world-country-names-meaning.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWe all belong to a country. Every country has meaning. It has reasons to get name. Countries are typically named for (or derive names from) ethnic groups, famous individuals, geographical locations, and geological features. We bring A to Z country’s name meaning and origin. Check it out!<\/p>\n
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Albania<\/strong><\/p>\n Just like Afghanistan, Albania is a mountainous country. It took its name from the Albanoi tribe, which in turn took it from an Indo-European word alb, meaning \u2018mountain\u2019.<\/p>\n Afghanistan<\/strong><\/p>\n While some sources claim that Afghan may come from the Sanskrit Avagana, itself perhaps derived from the Sumerian name of the Badakshan region, Ab-bar-Gan, \u2018Mountainous Country\u2019, according to a Persian translation, Afghan means \u2018wailing\u2019 or \u2018moaning\u2019.<\/p>\n Algeria<\/strong><\/p>\n Algeria is the Anglicization of the Arabic name Al Jaz\u0101\u1fbdir, \u2018the islands\u2019.<\/p>\n Andorra<\/strong><\/p>\n The name Andorra comes from a local Navarrese word, andurrial, meaning \u2018shrub-covered land\u2019. It has also been suggested that the country took its name from Arabic al-Gandura, \u2018the wanton woman\u2019, a legacy from the Moors.<\/p>\n Angola<\/strong><\/p>\n The Portuguese called the Angola area after the first word of the title of the ruler of the Mbundu people in Ndongo, Ngola a kiluanje.<\/p>\n Antigua and Barbuda<\/strong><\/p>\n Christopher Columbus named Antigua after the Church of Santa Maria de la Antigua, \u2018St Mary the Ancient\u2019, in Seville, Spain. The origin of the name Barbuda is not clear, but it has been suggested that it is derived from the Spanish barbados, \u2018bearded\u2019.<\/p>\n Argentina<\/strong><\/p>\n The name Argentina is said to have been coined by Spanish explorers who, when they first came to the region, noticed the silver ornaments worn by the natives. Thus the word is from the Spanish argentine, \u2018silvery\u2019, and means \u2018(Land of) the Silver (River)\u2019.<\/p>\n Armenia<\/strong><\/p>\n The Armenians call themselves \u2018the Hayk\u2019 after Noah\u2019s great-great-grandson from whom the Armenians claim descent. The Armenian name thus means the \u2018Land of Hayk\u2019. Armenia, however, may be a modification of Aramaean, a tribe which lived in northern Syria.<\/p>\n Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n Imagining the existence of a land located in the Southern hemisphere, the Greeks came up with the name Terra Australis Incognita, meaning \u2018Unknown Southern Land\u2019.<\/p>\n Austria<\/strong><\/p>\n The present name is derived from the fact that the region became a military district on the eastern border called Ostmark, \u2018East Mark\u2019, of Emperor Charlemagne\u2019s Frankish kingdom as a buffer against the Avars; it was also referred to as the Avarian Mark.<\/p>\n Azerbaijan<\/strong><\/p>\n Azerbaijan may take its name from one of Alexander III the Great\u2019s Persian generals, Atropates, who in turn took his name from the Greek atropatan, \u2018protected by fire\u2019.<\/p>\n Bahamas<\/strong><\/p>\n It is not entirely clear where the Bahamas got their name, but it is said to mean \u2018Shallow Sea\u2019 from the Spanish baja mar. It has also been speculated that it is derived from a much older Lucayan word.<\/p>\n Bahrain<\/strong><\/p>\n Bahrain means \u2018Two Seas\u2019, from ba\u1e25rayn, the plural of ba\u1e25r. It is a reference to the fact that the kingdom has \u2018seas\u2019 to the east and west.<\/p>\n Bangladesh<\/strong><\/p>\n Bangladesh means \u2018Land of the Bengalis\u2019, from de\u015b, \u2018land\u2019 or \u2018country\u2019. The Bengalis take their name from Banga, the chief of the Dravidian-speaking Bang tribe.<\/p>\n Barbados<\/strong><\/p>\n Barbados means meaning \u2018bearded\u2019 or \u2018the bearded ones\u2019.<\/p>\n Barbados is a Spanish word meaning \u2018bearded\u2019 or \u2018the bearded ones\u2019. It has been speculated that Barbuda got its name from the same root.<\/p>\n Belarus<\/strong><\/p>\n The present name Belarus is a shortening of Belaya Rus, meaning \u2018White Ruthenia\u2019, but was rendered as \u2018White Russia\u2019 in 1795.<\/p>\n Belgium<\/strong><\/p>\n The country is named after the Belgae, a confederation of tribes that lived between the Rivers Rhine and Loire in Roman times.<\/p>\n Belize<\/strong><\/p>\n Named after the Belize River. The actual name Belize may be a Spanish mispronunciation of the name Wallace, a Scottish adventurer who is said to have established a settlement at the mouth of the river.<\/p>\n Benin<\/strong><\/p>\n The name may be derived from the Bini, Benin\u2019s original inhabitants. Alternatively, Benin may come from the Yoruba Ile\u2013ibinu, \u2018Land of Argument\u2019, a possible reference to a time when the tribes were at war.<\/p>\n Bhutan<\/strong><\/p>\n Named Dzongkha in the language of Bhutan, from Druk-Yul, \u2018Land of the Thunder Dragon\u2019, often also translated as \u2018Land of the Peaceful Dragon\u2019. Bhutan itself is perhaps from Sanskrit Bhot-ant, \u2018End of Tibet\u2019, or Bhu-uttan, \u2018High End\u2019, or Bhots-than, \u2018Land of the Bhutia\u2019 (a Himalayan people originally from Tibet).<\/p>\n Bolivia<\/strong><\/p>\n Bolivia takes its name from Sim\u00f3n Bol\u00edvar, a national hero who led the revolutions against Spanish rule in South America.<\/p>\n Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/strong><\/p>\n Bosnia is named after the River Bosna, while the name Herzegovina comes from the Old Serbian Herceg, \u2018duke\u2019, ov, to make the genitive case of herceg in order to indicate possession, and ina, \u2018property\u2019. It thus means \u2018Property of a Duke\u2019, or simply \u2018Duchy\u2019.<\/p>\n Botswana<\/strong><\/p>\n Named after the indigenous people, the Tswana or baTswana. Their name apparently means \u2018those who went away\u2019 or \u2018the separators\u2019.<\/p>\n Brazil<\/strong><\/p>\n Brazil takes its name from the pau-brasil tree from which a valuable red dye is extracted.<\/p>\n Brunei<\/strong><\/p>\n The name Brunei is perhaps derived from the Sanskrit bh\u016bmi, \u2018land\u2019.<\/p>\n Bulgaria<\/strong><\/p>\n Possibly from the Turkic bulga, \u2018mixed\u2019, Bulgaria is named after the Bulgars, a mix of Turkic and Slav tribes.<\/p>\n Burkina Faso<\/strong><\/p>\n Burkina Faso translates to \u2018Land of Honest Men\u2019, from Mandekan Burkina, \u2018honest\u2019 or \u2018upright\u2019, and faso, \u2018fatherland\u2019.<\/p>\n Burundi<\/strong><\/p>\n The name comes either from Kirundi, a Bantu language spoken in Burundi, with Bu, a prefix indicating the country, or from the name of the Rundi people.<\/p>\n Cambodia<\/strong><\/p>\n Cambodia is the Latinized form of the Sanskrit Kambuja, which in turn is derived from Sanskrit nagara, \u2018city\u2019.<\/p>\n Cameroon<\/strong><\/p>\n Cameroon is the Anglicized form of the Portuguese Camar\u00f5es. The area was named Rio dos Camar\u00f5es, \u2018River of Prawns\u2019, by Portuguese explorers.<\/p>\n Canada<\/strong><\/p>\n Canada\u2019s is perhaps derived from Huron-Iroquois kanata, meaning \u2018village\u2019 or \u2018settlement\u2019. Canada\u2019s name is perhaps derived from the Huron-Iroquois word kanata, meaning \u2018village\u2019 or \u2018settlement\u2019.<\/p>\n Cape Verde<\/strong><\/p>\n Named by the Portuguese, Cape Verde translates to \u2018Green Cape\u2019.<\/p>\n Central African Republic<\/strong><\/p>\n The country\u2019s name is a reference to the fact that it lies at the centre of Africa. Its previous name, Oubangui-Chari, comes from the Bantu ou, \u2018land\u2019, and bangi, \u2018rapid\u2019, and from a reference to the river Chari.<\/p>\n Chad<\/strong><\/p>\n The name is taken from the Lake Chad, which in turn takes its name from the Bornu tsade, \u2018lake\u2019, itself from the Arabic t\u015d\u0101d, \u2018large lake\u2019.<\/p>\n Chile<\/strong><\/p>\n It is not known how the country got its name, but it may be derived from an Araucanian word for a type of bird. Another theory suggests that it may be a local word meaning \u2018where the land ends\u2019.<\/p>\n China<\/strong><\/p>\n China takes its English name from the state of Quin, a western Chinese kingdom during the Zhou dynasty.<\/p>\n Colombia<\/strong><\/p>\n Previously called New Granada after the Granada in Spain, Colombia\u2019s present name was adapted in 1863 in honour of Christopher Columbus.<\/p>\n Comoros<\/strong><\/p>\n The name of Comoros is adapted from the Arabic qamr, \u2018moon\u2019.<\/p>\n Congo<\/strong><\/p>\n The Congo got its name from the river Kongo, which is named after the Kongo people who founded the Kongo kingdom. Kong or kongo is a Bantu word for \u2018mountains\u2019.<\/p>\n Costa Rica<\/strong><\/p>\n Costa Rica means \u2018rich coast\u2019. The name was chosen by Christopher Columbus, who may have believed that gold would be found there.<\/p>\n Cote d\u2019Ivoire<\/strong><\/p>\n The Cote d\u2019Ivoire, or Ivory Coast in English, is so called because the French and Portuguese confined themselves to the coast to trade in ivory in pre-colonial times.<\/p>\n Croatia<\/strong><\/p>\n Named after the Croats. Their name is either derived from the Persian choroatos, \u2018nomads\u2019, from the Caucasus, or from the Serbo-Croat hrbat, \u2018mountain ridge\u2019, a reference to the mountains along the Adriatic coast.<\/p>\n Cuba<\/strong><\/p>\n Cuba, which is located roughly in the centre of the Caribbean, may have adapted its name from the Taino word Cubanacan, \u2018centre place\u2019.<\/p>\n Cyprus<\/strong><\/p>\n It is believed that the island\u2019s abundant deposits of copper led to the Greeks naming it Kypros. According to another theory, however, the name Cyprus may be taken from the son or daughter of Kinyras, mentioned by Homer as King of Cyprus.<\/p>\n Czech Republic<\/strong><\/p>\n Named after the \u010ce\u0161i, a Slav tribe which came from the east. The name may derive from the Slavonic \u010deta, \u2018company\u2019 or \u2018group of warriors\u2019, or from \u010cech, a legendary Slav chieftain. In 2016, the country announced its plan to have its English name Czech Republic shortened to Czechia.<\/p>\n Denmark<\/strong><\/p>\n Denmark took its name from the Danes, possibly meaning \u2018warrior\u2019. Another theory suggests that it is derived from Old High German tanar, \u2018sandbank\u2019, a reference to the number of islands belonging to the country.<\/p>\n Djibouti<\/strong><\/p>\n The name probably comes from an Afar word, gabouri, \u2018plate\u2019. It may refer to the fact that the city is on the coastal plain and surrounded by flat desert.<\/p>\n Dominica<\/strong><\/p>\n Discovered by Christopher Columbus and named after the \u2018Lord\u2019s Day\u2019, Dies Dominica, or \u2018Sunday\u2019, in Latin. The Dominican Republic was previously called Santo Domingo, \u2018Holy Sunday\u2019, a reference to the fact that it was discovered on a Sunday.<\/p>\n East Timor<\/strong><\/p>\n Timor comes from the Malay timur, \u2018east\u2019. East Timor, also known as \u2018Timor-Leste\u2019, takes Timor from the Malay timur, \u2018east\u2019 \u2013 thus East Timor means \u2018East East\u2019.<\/p>\n Ecuador<\/strong><\/p>\n The name means \u2018Equator\u2019 in Spanish, a reference to the equator running through the northern part of the country.<\/p>\n Egypt<\/strong><\/p>\n The ancient Greek and Roman names Aiguptos and \u00c6gyptus are derived from the Egyptian h\u016bt-k\u0101-ptah, \u2018Temple of the Soul of Ptah\u2019, from h\u016bt, \u2018temple\u2019, and k\u0101, \u2018soul\u2019, and the god Ptah. The Latin name \u00c6gyptus is said to mean \u2018The Land below the Aegean Sea\u2019, from aigaiou hyptios.<\/p>\n El Salvador<\/strong><\/p>\n Meaning \u2018The Saviour\u2019, the country takes its name from a Spanish fort located on the present site of the capital San Salvador.<\/p>\n Eritrea<\/strong><\/p>\n Eritrea was named by the Italians, from the Italianized version of the Latin Mare Erythraeum, \u2018Red Sea\u2019, from the ancient Greek erythros, \u2018red\u2019.<\/p>\n Estonia<\/strong><\/p>\n The country is named after its inhabitants, the Eesti. It is unclear where the word eesti comes from.<\/p>\n Ethiopia<\/strong><\/p>\n The Greeks named the country Aithiops, \u2018(Land of) Burnt Faces\u2019, from aith\u014d, \u2018I burn\u2019, and opsis, \u2018appearance\u2019.<\/p>\n Fiji<\/strong><\/p>\n The meaning of Fiji is not known, but it takes its name from its largest island, Viti Levu, meaning \u2018Great Fiji\u2019.<\/p>\n Finland<\/strong><\/p>\n Finland is perhaps derived from the Germanic finna, \u2018fish scale\u2019. The English name, meaning \u2018Land of the Finns\u2019, is perhaps derived from the Germanic (or Teutonic Scandinavian) finna, \u2018fish scale\u2019. It may be a reference to the type of clothing worn by the primitive Finnish tribes.<\/p>\n France<\/strong><\/p>\n The country takes its name from a coalition of Germanic tribes, the Franks, who conquered Gaul (the ancient region of Europe, corresponding to modern France, Belgium, the south Netherlands, SW Germany, and northern Italy) after the fall of the Roman Empire. The name Frank either comes from the Old German word franka, meaning \u2018fierce\u2019 or \u2018brave\u2019, or from a personal name.<\/p>\n Gabon<\/strong><\/p>\n The country adopted the name from the Portuguese, who came up with the name Gab\u00e3o, \u2018hooded cloak\u2019, for the Gabon Estuary, so called because of its shape.<\/p>\n Gambia<\/strong><\/p>\n The country takes its name from the Gambia River, itself named by the Portuguese after the local name, Ba-Dimma, \u2018The River\u2019. It has also been suggested that the name comes from the Portuguese c\u00e2mbio, \u2018exchange\u2019, in reference to the trade carried out along the river.<\/p>\n Georgia<\/strong><\/p>\n The name is derived from the Arabic and Persian words kurj and gurj, both meaning \u2018country\u2019 or \u2018land\u2019.<\/p>\n Germany<\/strong><\/p>\n The English name for Germany comes from the Roman Germania. Its origin is unclear, but it has been suggested that it is derived from the Germanic gari, \u2018lance\u2019, and man, \u2018people\u2019. Another theory connects it with the Celtic gair, meaning \u2018neighbour\u2019.<\/p>\n Ghana<\/strong><\/p>\n Ghana perhaps means \u2018king\u2019 or \u2018sovereign\u2019 and may be derived from the title assumed by the tribal chieftain of the old Ghanaian empire that was located to the north of modern Ghana.<\/p>\n Greece<\/strong><\/p>\n In English, named after the Graeci people, who may have taken their name from Graecus, a personal name. The Romans used the name Graecia for the country, from which the modern name is derived.<\/p>\n Grenada<\/strong><\/p>\n Named Grenada by Spanish sailors because the landscape reminded them of the region around Granada in Spain.<\/p>\n Guatemala<\/strong><\/p>\n The origin of the name Guatemala is not entirely clear, but it has been suggested that it comes from an Aztec word, Quauhtemallan, meaning \u2018Land of Many Trees\u2019 or \u2018Land of the Eagle\u2019. It is also possible that the country takes its name from the word Guhatezmalha, \u2018Mountain of Gushing Water\u2019, after the volcano of Agua.<\/p>\n Guinea<\/strong><\/p>\n Guinea was given its name by the Portuguese after a Berber word, aguinaw, meaning \u2018black man\u2019, or akal n-iguinamen, meaning \u2018Land of the Black Men\u2019.<\/p>\n Guinea-Bissau<\/strong><\/p>\n The second part of the country\u2019s name, Bissau, comes from its capital. It is taken from the indigenous Bijag\u00f3 people from the offshore islands.<\/p>\n Guyana<\/strong><\/p>\n Its swampy coastline and many rivers probably gave Guyana its name meaning \u2018Land of Waters\u2019 after an Arawak or Carib word.<\/p>\n Haiti<\/strong><\/p>\n Haiti took its name from the Arawak name of Ayti, the original name for the island now shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Ayti means \u2018Land of Mountains\u2019.<\/p>\n Honduras<\/strong><\/p>\n The name means \u2018Deep Water\u2019 from the Spanish hondura, a possible reference to the depth of the coastal waters.<\/p>\n Hungary<\/strong><\/p>\n Hungary\u2019s name comes from On Ogur, \u2018Ten Arrows\u2019. Hungary\u2019s present name comes from On Ogur, \u2018Ten Arrows\u2019, the name of a group of tribes (seven Magyar and three Kavar) living along the north shore of the Black Sea before they moved to modern Hungary during the 9th century.<\/p>\n Iceland<\/strong><\/p>\n Originally called Sn\u00e6land, \u2018Snow Land\u2019, Iceland\u2019s present name comes from the Norse settlers who renamed it with the intention to deter visitors from coming to the island.<\/p>\n India<\/strong><\/p>\n India is a Greek and Latin term for \u2018the country of the River Indus\u2019, with Indus probably coming from the Sanskrit word sindhu, \u2018the sea\u2019.<\/p>\n Indonesia<\/strong><\/p>\n The name means \u2018Indian Islands\u2019, from Greek Indos Nesos.<\/p>\n Iran<\/strong><\/p>\n The name of Iran is derived from the Old Persian ary\u0101nam, the genitive plural of arya, \u2018noble\u2019 in the sense of \u2018high-born\u2019. It means \u2018(Land of) the Aryans\u2019.<\/p>\n Iraq<\/strong><\/p>\n Iraq\u2019s name is a reference to its location astride the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. It comes from the Arabic al-\u2018ir\u0101q, \u2018the (river) bank\u2019 or \u2018beside the water\u2019.<\/p>\n Ireland<\/strong><\/p>\n The name is a form of Iar-en-land, \u2018Land in the West\u2019 from the Gaelic iar, \u2018west\u2019.<\/p>\n Israel<\/strong><\/p>\n Israel takes its name from the ancient land of Israel which itself comes from Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. Jacob\u2019s name was changed to Israel because he was \u2018one that prevailed with God\u2019 (Genesis 32: 28).<\/p>\n Italy<\/strong><\/p>\n The name is believed to come from the Vitali tribe whose name may be connected to Latin vitulus, \u2018calf\u2019, or witaloi, \u2018sons of the bull\u2019. Another theory is that the name is derived from diovi-telia, \u2018Land of the Day\u2019 or \u2018Land of the Light\u2019.<\/p>\n Jamaica<\/strong><\/p>\n From the Arawak name of Xaymaca or Yamaya meaning \u2018Land of Wood and Water\u2019.<\/p>\n Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n The name means \u2018Land of the Rising Sun\u2019 and is a reference to Japan\u2019s location east of China. It comes from the Chinese pronunciation of \u2018Jipen\u2019, from the Chinese characters r\u00ec, \u2018sun\u2019, and b\u0115n, \u2018origin\u2019.<\/p>\n Jordan<\/strong><\/p>\n Named after the River Jordan, from the Hebrew root yrd, \u2018descend (into the Dead Sea)\u2019. The river\u2019s name, however, could mean \u2018River of Dan\u2019, with Dan being one of the sons of Jacob.<\/p>\n Kazakhstan<\/strong><\/p>\n Kazakhstan means \u2018Land of the Kazakhs\u2019, from stan and the Turkic kazak (qazaq or quzzaq), \u2018Horsemen\u2019 or \u2018Riders of the Steppe\u2019. However, kazak is more commonly translated as \u2018adventurer\u2019, \u2018outlaw\u2019, \u2018raider\u2019, or \u2018free, or independent, man\u2019.<\/p>\n Kenya<\/strong><\/p>\n Kenya is a shortened version of the Kikuyu name, Kirinyaga, a corruption of the Swahili kere nyaga, \u2018Mountain of Whiteness\u2019.<\/p>\n Kiribati<\/strong><\/p>\n Previously called Gilbert Islands, \u2018Kiribati\u2019 is the native pronunciation of Gilbert and is pronounced \u2018Kir-a-bas\u2019.<\/p>\n Korea, North<\/strong><\/p>\n Korea is the Western name for the Kory\u014f dynasty (918\u20131392). It can be translated as \u2018high and beautiful\u2019.<\/p>\n Kuwait<\/strong><\/p>\n Kuwait takes its name from a small fortress. It is a diminutive of the Arabic k\u016bt, meaning \u2018fort\u2019.<\/p>\n Kyrgyzstan<\/strong><\/p>\n The name means \u2018Land of the Kyrgyz\u2019 and comes from the Turkic kir, \u2018steppe\u2019, and gizmek, \u2018to wander\u2019.<\/p>\n Laos<\/strong><\/p>\n Known as \u2018Path\u00e9t Lao\u2019 (\u2018Lao state\u2019) in the Lao language, Laos was the name given to unite the three Lao kingdoms in 1893.<\/p>\n Latvia<\/strong><\/p>\n The name Latvia is derived from what the Latvians call themselves, Latvis; this means \u2018forest clearer\u2019.<\/p>\n Lebanon<\/strong><\/p>\n Lebanon comes from the Semitic word lavan meaning \u2018white\u2019 or \u2018whitish\u2019. Lebanon comes from the Semitic word lavan meaning \u2018white\u2019 or \u2018whitish\u2019, probably referring to the snowy peaks of Mount Lebanon.<\/p>\n Lesotho<\/strong><\/p>\n Lesotho translates approximately into \u2018the land of the Sotho\u2019.<\/p>\n Liberia<\/strong><\/p>\n Liberia is from the Latin liber \u2018free\u2019 \u2013 the same root of the word liberty \u2013 and is so called because it was founded in 1822 as a settlement for freed slaves from the US, and proclaimed independent in 1847.<\/p>\n Libya<\/strong><\/p>\n The name Libya comes from the Greek name given to Northwest Africa; Libya was the daughter of Epaphus and Memphis in Greek mythology.<\/p>\n Liechtenstein<\/strong><\/p>\n Liechtenstein was named after the Liechtenstein family from Liechtenstein Castle in Lower Austria. The name means \u2018bright stone\u2019.<\/p>\n Lithuania<\/strong><\/p>\n The meaning of Lithuania is not known, although it has been suggested that it may be derived from the Latin litus \u2018shore\u2019, a reference to the Baltic coast or from the small River Letavka.<\/p>\n Luxembourg<\/strong><\/p>\n Luxembourg is originally found as Luciliburhuc, meaning \u2018little castle\u2019.<\/p>\n Macedonia<\/strong><\/p>\n Macedonia ultimately comes from the ancient Greek root mak, \u2018tall, high\u2019, possibly describing tall people living there.<\/p>\n Madagascar<\/strong><\/p>\n The name Madageiscar originated with explorer Marco Polo in the 13th century as a result of hearsay and misunderstanding. He never visited the island and mistook the Italian version of the Arab name for Mogadishu, Mogadiscio, on the Somali coast to refer to the island which he called Madeigascar.<\/p>\n Malawi<\/strong><\/p>\n Malawi comes from Maravi people. Their name means \u2018flames\u2019, which may be taken from their habit of burning off dead grass to prepare the land for cultivation.<\/p>\n Malaysia<\/strong><\/p>\n Malaysia probably comes from the Tamil words malai (mountain) and ur (city).<\/p>\n Maldives<\/strong><\/p>\n The name probably comes from the Sanskrit m\u0101l\u0101dv\u012bpa \u2018garland of islands\u2019 from m\u0101l\u0101 \u2018garland\u2019 or \u2018necklace\u2019 and dv\u012bpa.<\/p>\n Mali<\/strong><\/p>\n Mali may come from the Malink\u00e9 people, also known as the Mandinka, who are closely related to other Mande-speaking peoples who trace their ancestry to the Mali Empire. It has also been suggested that the name comes from the Mande word for \u2018hippopotamus\u2019.<\/p>\n Malta<\/strong><\/p>\n Malta may be derived from the ancient Greek melitta, \u2018bee\u2019. Famous for its honey in former times, Malta may be derived from the ancient Greek melitta, \u2018bee\u2019, which produces meli, \u2018honey\u2019.<\/p>\n Marshall Islands<\/strong><\/p>\n The islands are named after the British explorer John Marshall, who explored them in 1788.<\/p>\n Mauritania<\/strong><\/p>\n The name comes from the country\u2019s biggest ethnic group, the Mauri.<\/p>\n Mauritius<\/strong><\/p>\n Mauritius had various name changes before being named, in 1598, after the Dutch Prince Maurice van Nassau.<\/p>\n Mexico<\/strong><\/p>\n M\u00e9xico is the simplified Spanish version of a Nahuatl name for the Aztec capital, Metztlixihtlico, said to mean \u2018In the Navel of the Moon\u2019 from m\u0113tztli \u2018moon\u2019, xictli \u2018navel\u2019 or \u2018centre\u2019, and the suffix -co \u2018place\u2019 \u2013 to give \u2018Place at the Centre of the Moon\u2019.<\/p>\n Micronesia<\/strong><\/p>\n Micronesia translates from the Greek for \u2018small\u2019 + \u2018island\u2019.<\/p>\n Moldova<\/strong><\/p>\n Moldova comes from the name of the Moldova River \u2013 which, legend has it, was named by Prince Drago\u0219 after a dog, Molda, which drowned in the river after hunting an aurochs. It is sadly more likely that the name comes from the Gothic mulda, \u2018dust\u2019.<\/p>\n Monaco<\/strong><\/p>\n It was founded by the Phocaeans in the 6th century bc as Monoikos, a Greek word meaning \u2018single house\u2019 or \u2018single temple\u2019, signifying a place to rest. However, it may come from the Ligurian monegu \u2018rock\u2019<\/p>\n Mongolia<\/strong><\/p>\n Mongolia is named after the Mongols who took their name from mong \u2018brave\u2019 or \u2018undefeated\u2019.<\/p>\n Montenegro<\/strong><\/p>\n Montenegro means \u2018black mountain\u2019, said to be a reference to the dark appearance of Mt Lov\u0107en at various times of the year and the surrounding heavily wooded areas.<\/p>\n Morocco<\/strong><\/p>\n Morocco is derived from marr\u016bkus, the old Arabic version of Marrakech, the former capital.<\/p>\n Mozambique<\/strong><\/p>\n Mozambique is said to have come from a ruling Arab Shaikh, Musa al Biq and the town which developed here was known to medieval Arab geographers as Musanb\u012bh and in Swahili as Musambiki.<\/p>\n Myanmar<\/strong><\/p>\n Myanmar changed its name from Burma in 1989, because the latter was held to be a relic of European colonialism. The current name is taken from Mranma, the local name for the Burmese people and their language. Myan means \u2018swift\u2019 and ma \u2018strong\u2019.<\/p>\n Namibia<\/strong><\/p>\n Namibia comes from the Nama word namib, \u2018shield\u2019.<\/p>\n Nauru<\/strong><\/p>\n Nauru may be derived from an\u00e1oero, \u2018I go to the beach\u2019. The island\u2019s name may be derived from an\u00e1oero, \u2018I go to the beach\u2019.<\/p>\n Nepal<\/strong><\/p>\n The origin of Nepal has been disputed: it may mean \u2018Beginning of a New Era\u2019, \u2018Home of Wool\u2019, \u2018Holy Place\u2019, \u2018to fly down\u2019 and \u2018house\u2019, or be named after a king or kings called Nepa.<\/p>\n Netherlands<\/strong><\/p>\n Netherlands or \u2018Low Lands\u2019 is the literal English translation of Nederlanden, itself a translation from the Latin inferior terra.<\/p>\n New Zealand<\/strong><\/p>\n The name New Zealand comes from the Dutch province of Zeeland, \u2018sea land\u2019.<\/p>\n Nicaragua<\/strong><\/p>\n Nicaragua may come from the name of a local 16th-century chief, Nicarao, and agua, \u2018water\u2019 in Spanish. Alternatively, it has been suggested that some Spaniards heard the name Nicaragua, perhaps meaning \u2018Here, near the Lake\u2019.<\/p>\n Niger<\/strong><\/p>\n The land-locked country takes its name from the Niger River that flows through Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.<\/p>\n Nigeria<\/strong><\/p>\n Nigeria is also named after the Niger River; Niger, in the river\u2019s name, may come from the Berber phrase ger-n-ger, \u2018river of rivers\u2019.<\/p>\n Norway<\/strong><\/p>\n The name means \u2018The Way North\u2019 or \u2018The Northern Way\u2019 from the Old Norse Norrevegr, a reference to one of the routes taken by the Vikings.<\/p>\n Oman<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nDominican Republic<\/p>\n