Sri Lanka
/ˌʃriː ˈlɑːŋ.kə/noun
An island country in South Asia, south of India.
Did you know?The first element, Sanskrit śrī, is a sacred word of prosperity and divine radiance, so the modern nation’s name carries an honorific glow rather than a dark omen.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
śrī
“Radiance, beauty, prosperity, fortune; also an honorific title of reverence.”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Laṅkā
“The island name in South Asian tradition, especially in epic and literary usage.”
20th Century
English
Ceylon
“The former English name for the island and colony, used in European languages for centuries.”
1972
English
Sri Lanka
“The official modern name adopted by the republic, combining the honorific śrī with Lanka.”