Benin City
/bɪˈnɪn ˈsɪti/noun
A city in southern Nigeria and the historic capital of the former Benin Kingdom.
Did you know?European accounts recorded Benin as a wealthy, highly organized kingdom, while its famous bronze artworks were actually cast primarily in brass and other copper alloys.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kei-
“To lie or settle; a proposed ancient root connected with settlement and habitation.”
Classical Latin
Latin
civitas
“A community of citizens or city-state, from civis, meaning citizen.”
Old French
Old French
cite
“A city or urban community, inherited from Latin civitas.”
15th Century
Portuguese
Benim
“The form used by Portuguese travelers and traders for the powerful West African kingdom they encountered.”
19th Century
English
Benin City
“The English name increasingly used for the kingdom’s capital, also historically known as Edo.”
Modern English
English
Benin City
“The capital of Edo State, Nigeria, and the historic center of the Benin Kingdom.”
Explore more surprising origins