Bangui
/bæŋˈɡiː/noun
The capital and largest city of the Central African Republic, situated on the northern bank of the Ubangi River.
Did you know?Bangui was established by French colonial forces near river rapids in 1889, and its name is generally connected with the nearby Ubangi River, though the deeper local etymology remains debated.
Etymological Timeline
19th Century
Local Central African languages
bangui
“A local place-name whose precise original meaning is uncertain; traditional explanations connect it with the river landscape and rapids.”
19th Century
Bobangi-related usage
Ubangi
“The name of the major river now called the Ubangi; Bangui is commonly interpreted as being derived from or associated with this river-name.”
1889
French colonial records
Bangui
“Name applied to the newly established French military and administrative settlement beside the Ubangi River.”
20th Century
French
Bangui
“Colonial city and administrative center of French Equatorial Africa.”
Modern English
English
Bangui
“The capital city of the Central African Republic.”
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