Geneva
/dʒəˈniːvə/noun
A city in southwestern Switzerland on Lake Geneva; also the name of a type of watch or a type of gin-flavored liquor in some contexts.
Did you know?The city name is ancient and predates the modern French form, but its exact deepest origin is uncertain, so the spooky-sounding “hidden meaning” people sometimes claim is not actually established.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Roman period
Latin
Genava
“The Roman name for the settlement at the Rhône outlet near Lake Geneva”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Genava
“A regional place-name preserved in administrative and ecclesiastical use”
Middle Ages
Old French
Geneve
“The medieval French form of the city name”
Modern English
English
Geneva
“The standard English name for the Swiss city”