People named after places. Place names in the USA And Worldwide Named after Famous Or Given People

 How many places you have visited have their names given to famous people?

I remember as a schoolchild learning that Florence Nightingale was named after the Italian city of Florence. I recently wondered why Americans use Madison as a first name. Then I realised that Madison Avenue is a well known and prestigious street in New York.

I did a mental search and came up with these results.

Americans named after cities or with the same name as cities

Paris Hilton and Paris Jackson are both named after Paris, France. 

|Two actors with the first name Austin have the same name as Austin, Texas.

Actor Phoenix Joaquin is named after Phoenix, Arizona.

Other city names used by American actors, stars, singers and writers include Orlando as in Orlando, Florida and Brooklyn after the area of New York in the USA. London, after London England Kingston, after Kingston in Jamaica, Sydney, after Sydney, Australia, Savannah, from Savannah, USA,  

American cities named after famous people.

Columbus. 

For example, Columbus Ohio. Christopher Columbus.

If you want to do a search, the technical word for naming a person after a place is a toponym. Nym means name from the Greek for name or word.

Then I did a Gemini search and received these satisfying detailed results.

Many cities, states, counties, and landmarks across the United States are named after historic figures, military leaders, and world leaders.

U.S. States

• Washington: Named after George Washington, the first U.S. President.

• Louisiana: Named after King Louis XIV of France.

• Maryland: Named after Queen Henrietta Maria of England.

• Virginia & West Virginia: Named in honor of Queen Elizabeth I of England (known as the "Virgin Queen").

• North & South Carolina: Named after King Charles I of England (Carolus in Latin).

• Georgia: Named after King George II of Great Britain.

• Pennsylvania: Named in honor of Admiral William Penn (father of founder William Penn).

• New York: Named after James, Duke of York (later King James II of England).

• Major Cities

  • Washington, D.C.: Named after George Washington (and Christopher Columbus for the District of Columbia).

  • Houston, Texas: Named after Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas and military general.

  • Austin, Texas: Named after Stephen F. Austin, known as the "Father of Texas."

  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Named after British statesman William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.

  • Louisville, Kentucky: Named after King Louis XVI of France for French support during the American Revolution.

  • St. Louis, Missouri: Named after King Louis IX of France (Saint Louis).

  • Cleveland, Ohio: Named after Revolutionary War General Moses Cleaveland.

  • Lincoln, Nebraska: Named after Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President.

  • Columbus, Ohio: Named after explorer Christopher Columbus.

  • Jacksonville, Florida: Named after Andrew Jackson, seventh U.S. President and first military governor of Florida.

  • Counties & Regional Places

    • Jefferson County / City: Named after Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson County is the single most common county name in the U.S., spanning 26 states).

    • Franklin County / Cities: Named after Founding Father Benjamin Franklin (appearing in 25 states, alongside dozens of towns named Franklin).

    • Pulaski County: Named after Polish military commander Kazimierz Pulaski, who fought in the American Revolutionary War (appearing across 7 states).

    • Lafayette / Fayetteville: Cities across numerous states named after the Marquis de Lafayette, French hero of the American Revolutionary War.

    ---

    Famous Landmarks & Structures

    • Pikes Peak (Colorado): Named after explorer Zebulon Pike.

    • Mt. McKinley (Alaska, historically): Named after President William McKinley (officially renamed Denali in 2015).

    • Hoover Dam (Nevada/Arizona): Named after 31st U.S. President Herbert Hoover.

    • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK - NYC): Renamed in 1963 to honor President John F. Kennedy.

    • Lincoln Memorial / Washington Monument (D.C.): Iconic monuments dedicated to Presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

How many more do you know? Please contact me through comments. 

-ends-

This post will be updated later today and in the future.

Please share links to your favourite posts.