Capitals Named After People

Naming a capital after a person is one of the most permanent ways to honour a historical figure. Unlike statues or street names, a capital city's name appears on maps, in headlines, and in the daily vocabulary of millions. The practice spans continents and centuries, from ancient rulers to modern revolutionary heroes.

Washington D.C. — The First President

The United States capital is named after George Washington, the country's first president and commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. The "D.C." stands for District of Columbia, a reference to Christopher Columbus. Washington himself was involved in selecting the site along the Potomac River, though he died in 1799 before the government officially moved there in 1800. Interestingly, Washington is the only U.S. president to have a state capital named after him — but not the only capital: Monrovia, Liberia is named after James Monroe.

Islamabad — The City of Islam

The name Islamabad literally means "City of Islam" (Islam + abad), reflecting the country's Islamic identity. It was built in the 1960s to replace Karachi as Pakistan's capital. The name follows the pattern of many South Asian cities with the "-abad" (settlement/city) suffix, such as Ahmedabad (named after Sultan Ahmed Shah) and Hyderabad (named after Ali ibn Abi Talib, also known as Haydar).

Brasília — Named After the Nation

While not named after an individual person, Brasília is named after Brazil itself — the country was named after the brazilwood tree (pau-brasil), not a person. However, the city is essentially a monument to President Juscelino Kubitschek, who championed its construction with the motto "50 years of progress in 5." The JK Memorial in Brasília is dedicated to his legacy.

Colonial Names and Renaming

Many capitals around the world were originally named after colonial figures, saints, or monarchs, and some have since been renamed. Examples include: Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon, Vietnam — though not the capital), renamed after the revolutionary leader; and numerous cities across Africa and Asia that shed colonial names after independence. Other capitals have kept their historical names: Wellington (New Zealand) is named after the Duke of Wellington, and Victoria (Seychelles) is named after Queen Victoria.

More Eponymous Capitals

• Monrovia, Liberia — Named after James Monroe, 5th U.S. President. Founded by freed American slaves in 1822.
• Harare, Zimbabwe — Renamed from Salisbury in 1982 after Chief Neharawa of the Shona people.
• Gaborone, Botswana — Named after Chief Gaborone of the Batlokwa people.
• Maseru, Lesotho — The name means "red sandstone," referring to the local geology, not a person.
• Asunción, Paraguay — Named after the Feast of the Assumption (Asunción) of the Virgin Mary.
• San Marino — Named after Saint Marinus, a 4th-century stonecutter who founded a monastery there.