Genoa
/ˈdʒɛn.əʊ.ə/noun
A major port city in northwestern Italy and, by extension, a type of sturdy cotton twill fabric.
Did you know?The city’s name is ancient and probably pre-Latin, while the fabric sense comes from the city’s reputation as a medieval textile port—words can carry trade routes in their bones.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Roman
Unknown / Ligurian
Genua
“The name of the settlement in the Ligurian region, likely pre-Latin in origin.”
Roman Era
Latin
Genua
“The Roman name for the city of Genoa.”
Middle Ages
Italian
Genova
“The Italian name of the city; the form that influenced other European languages.”
16th Century
French / English
Genoa
“Used in English for the city and for goods associated with Genoa, especially cloth.”
Modern English
English
Genoa
“The modern English name of the Italian city and the fabric term derived from it.”