Uruguay
/ˈjʊərəɡwaɪ/noun
A country in southeastern South America, bordering Brazil and Argentina.
Did you know?The name comes through Spanish from Guaraní, but its precise interpretation remains disputed; proposed readings connect it with birds, snails, or a river-related expression.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Colonial period
Guaraní
Uruguay
“An Indigenous river name; the original components and literal meaning are disputed.”
16th Century
Spanish
Uruguay
“A name applied by Spanish colonizers to the Uruguay River and surrounding region.”
17th–18th Centuries
Spanish
Banda Oriental / Uruguay
“The territory east of the Uruguay River was commonly called the Banda Oriental, while Uruguay remained the river’s name.”
1815
Spanish
Provincia Oriental
“The region was organized as the Provincia Oriental during the independence struggles.”
1828
Spanish
Estado Oriental del Uruguay
“The newly independent state was established as the Eastern State of Uruguay.”
1919
Spanish
República Oriental del Uruguay
“The modern constitutional name, meaning Oriental Republic of Uruguay.”