Columbia
/kəˈlʌm.bi.ə/noun
A poetic or historical name for the United States, and the name of places, institutions, and the Columbia River.
Did you know?Columbia became a personified female symbol of America in the 18th century, and her name spread through patriotic poetry, government institutions, and place names long after the original explorer faded.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
Columbus
“A surname meaning "dove"”
15th Century
Italian/Spanish
Cristoforo Colombo / Cristóbal Colón
“The explorer Christopher Columbus, whose surname was adapted across European languages”
18th Century
English
Columbia
“A poetic name for the American colonies and later the United States”
18th-19th Century
English
Columbia
“A female personification of America used in literature, art, and patriotic symbolism”
Modern English
English
Columbia
“A proper name used for institutions, places, and historical-poetic references to the United States”
Explore more surprising origins