Wuhan
/wuːˈhæn/ (Mandarin: /ù xân/)noun
A major city in central China, located where the Yangtze and Han rivers meet.
Did you know?The modern name Wuhan was formed from Wuchang and Hanyang, while the “Han” refers to the Han River, whose name is also associated with the Han dynasty and Han Chinese identity.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient period
Chinese
鄂 (È)
“An ancient regional name associated with the area around present-day Wuhan.”
2nd century BCE onward
Chinese
汉 (Hàn)
“Han; originally the name of the Han River and later the name of the Han dynasty and Han ethnic identity.”
3rd century CE
Chinese
武昌 (Wǔchāng)
“Wuchang, one of the historic urban centers on the Yangtze.”
Tang–Song periods
Chinese
汉阳 (Hànyáng)
“Hanyang, historically named in relation to the north side of the Han River.”
Ming–Qing periods
Chinese
汉口 (Hànkǒu)
“Hankou, literally “Han River mouth,” a major commercial port.”
1927
Chinese
武汉 (Wǔhàn)
“Wuhan, a new administrative name combining Wuchang and Hanyang; Hankou was also incorporated into the unified city.”