Algiers
/ælˈdʒɪərz/noun
The capital and largest city of Algeria, on the Mediterranean coast.
Did you know?The English name Algiers comes through French from Arabic al-Jazāʾir, meaning “the islands,” referring to small islands once lying off the coast before later harbor works changed the shoreline.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient / pre-10th century
Berber
Icosium
“A Roman-era settlement name for the area, used before the Arabic city name became dominant.”
10th century
Arabic
al-Jazāʾir
““The islands,” referring to the offshore islets near the harbor.”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
Jazāʾir Banī Mazghanna
““The islands of the sons of Mazghanna,” a fuller local place-name.”
16th century
French
Alger
“French form of the city name, adapted from Arabic usage.”
Modern English
English
Algiers
“The established English name for the capital city of Algeria.”