Soudanite
/ˈsuː.də.naɪt/noun
A rare mineral named in connection with Soudan, Minnesota, where it was discovered.
Did you know?The name Soudan preserves an older European spelling of Sudan, while the mineral itself is associated with Minnesota’s historic Soudan underground mine.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
bilād as-sūdān
““Lands of the Black people,” a historical Arabic designation for regions south of the Sahara”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Sudan
“A geographical name adopted from Arabic usage”
17th–19th Century
French
Soudan
“French spelling of Sudan, widely used in geographical and colonial writing”
19th Century
English
Soudan
“A place-name used for Soudan, Minnesota, whose name ultimately reflects the Sudan spelling”
20th Century
English
soudanite
“Mineral name formed from Soudan plus the mineral suffix “-ite””