Mumbai
/mʊmˈbaɪ/noun
The largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra.
Did you know?The name Mumbai is commonly linked to Mumbā Devi, a local Hindu goddess worshiped by the original fishing communities of the area, rather than to a single simple “translation.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient/Medieval
Marathi
Mumbaī
“A local form associated with the goddess Mumbā/Mahā-Ambā”
16th Century
Portuguese
Bombaim
“Portuguese rendering of the coastal settlement’s name”
17th–18th Century
English
Bombay
“The anglicized colonial name for the city”
1995
English
Mumbai
“Officially restored name of the city, reflecting the local Marathi form and goddess association”
Explore more surprising origins