Wollongong
/ˈwʊl.ən.ɡɒŋ/noun
A coastal city in New South Wales, Australia, south of Sydney.
Did you know?The name was recorded in several forms, including Woolyungah and Wollingong, reflecting attempts to represent an Aboriginal place-name with English spelling.
Etymological Timeline
Before 1800
Dharawal/Wodi Wodi
Disputed forms, including Woolyungah
“An Aboriginal place-name used in the region; its original meaning is uncertain.”
1796
English records
Wolling-gong
“An early colonial transcription of the local Aboriginal name.”
Early 19th Century
English
Woolyungah / Wollongong
“Variant spellings recorded by European settlers and surveyors.”
19th Century
English
Wollongong
“The standardized English spelling increasingly used for the settlement and district.”
Modern English
English
Wollongong
“The official name of the city and surrounding urban region in New South Wales.”