America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

America, China, and other countries named after people

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The paradox of time: did the future already happen?

See Again

© Shutterstock

0 / 31 Fotos

China - C'mon, does China really need an introduction? The colossal country is populated by well over a billion people.

© iStock

1 / 31 Fotos

Emperor Qin - The nation gets its name from Emperor Qin, pronounced "Chin." Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of a unified China.

© Public Domain

2 / 31 Fotos

United States of America - Oh, good old USA. The influential country is the third or fourth largest country, depending on who you ask.

© iStock

3 / 31 Fotos

Amerigo Vespucci - Many may not know that America is named after Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer who helped research the New World, or the Americas.

© Public Domain

4 / 31 Fotos

Colombia - Colombia is a South American sovereign state. It's one of the most diverse countries in the world, both ethnically and linguistically.

© iStock

5 / 31 Fotos

Christopher Columbus - It shouldn't be much of a surprise, but Colombia is named after Christopher Columbus. The Italian explorer helped start the European colonization of the Americas.

© Public Domain

6 / 31 Fotos

Bolivia - The landlocked country is located in South America, and used to be a colony of Spain.

© iStock

7 / 31 Fotos

Simón Bolívar - Bolivia is named after Simón Bolívar, a Venezuelan military and political leader who campaigned for the independence of many South American countries.

© Public Domain

8 / 31 Fotos

Dominican Republic - The Dominican Republic is found on the island of Hispaniola. It had been inhabited by the Taíno people since the 7th century.

© iStock

9 / 31 Fotos

Saint Dominic - The country is named after Saint Dominic, a Castilian priest and patron saint of astronomers.

© iStock

10 / 31 Fotos

Philippines - The archipelagic country is found in Southeast Asia. The Philippines consists of over 7,600 islands.

© iStock

11 / 31 Fotos

Philip II - The Philippines is named after Philip II of Spain. The king's empire stretched to every continent the Europeans could reach, including the Philippines.

© Public Domain

12 / 31 Fotos

Israel - Israel is located east of the Mediterranean Sea. It became an independent country in 1948.

© iStock

13 / 31 Fotos

Jacob/Israel - The country is named after the biblical figure of Jacob, who was also named Israel. Here he is pictured wrestling an angel.

© Public Domain

14 / 31 Fotos

Liechtenstein - Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked microstate, located in Central Europe. It has a small population of around 40,000, with a hugely successful economy.

© iStock

15 / 31 Fotos

The House of Liechtenstein -

Liechtenstein is reigned by and named after the House of Liechtenstein, a family with history stretching back to the 17th century. Hans-Adam II is the current sovereign ruler.

© Getty Images

16 / 31 Fotos

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - This country is located on an island arc in the West Indies. The country has a French and British colonial history.

© iStock

17 / 31 Fotos

Saint Vincent of Saragossa - Saint Vincent of Saragossa is the inspiration for this country's name. He was the patron saint of Lisbon and Valencia. Explorers arrived on the island on January 22, St. Vincent's feast day.

© Public Domain

18 / 31 Fotos

Russia - The transcontinental behemoth is the world's largest country.

© iStock

19 / 31 Fotos

Rus -

Russia is named after Rus, one of three mythological brothers who traveled and settled around the world. Belarus also takes its name from this Slavic legend.

© Shutterstock

20 / 31 Fotos

Saint Lucia - The small island country is populated by around 180,000 people. It was previously named Iyonola, by the native Amerindians.

© iStock

21 / 31 Fotos

Saint Lucy -

This country takes its name from Saint Lucy, a Christian martyr who lived during the first century. Her eyes were famously removed from her face, with varying explanations.

© Getty Images

22 / 31 Fotos

Solomon Islands - Over 900 islands make up this sovereign state, which can be found in the Oceania area.

© iStock

23 / 31 Fotos

Solomon -

The islands are named after Solomon, a king of Israel who succeeded King David.

© Shuttertock

24 / 31 Fotos

San Marino - AKA the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, this sunny microstate is surrounded by Italy.

© iStock

25 / 31 Fotos

Saint Marinus - Saint Marinus was a man who founded a monastery in the year 301. From this community, San Marino was born.

© Public Domain

26 / 31 Fotos

Uzbekistan - With a rich history and culture, Uzbekistan is perhaps a little overlooked when it comes to Central Asian countries.

© iStock

27 / 31 Fotos

Öz Beg Khan - The country gets its name from Öz Beg Khan, the longest-reigning leader of the historical Golden Horde region.

© Public Domain

28 / 31 Fotos

Saint Kitts and Nevis - Saint Kitts and Nevis is an underrated island country located in the West Indies.

© iStock

29 / 31 Fotos

Saint Christopher -

Saint Christopher is the inspiration for the country's name. He is the patron saint of travelers, and it's said that he once carried Christ across a river.

From here, why not explore the countries that changed their names.

© Public Domain

30 / 31 Fotos

©

Shutterstock

0 / 31 Fotos

China - C'mon, does China really need an introduction? The colossal country is populated by well over a billion people.

© iStock

1 / 31 Fotos

Emperor Qin - The nation gets its name from Emperor Qin, pronounced "Chin." Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of a unified China.

© Public Domain

2 / 31 Fotos

United States of America - Oh, good old USA. The influential country is the third or fourth largest country, depending on who you ask.

© iStock

3 / 31 Fotos

Amerigo Vespucci - Many may not know that America is named after Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer who helped research the New World, or the Americas.

© Public Domain

4 / 31 Fotos

Colombia - Colombia is a South American sovereign state. It's one of the most diverse countries in the world, both ethnically and linguistically.

© iStock

5 / 31 Fotos

Christopher Columbus - It shouldn't be much of a surprise, but Colombia is named after Christopher Columbus. The Italian explorer helped start the European colonization of the Americas.

© Public Domain

6 / 31 Fotos

Bolivia - The landlocked country is located in South America, and used to be a colony of Spain.

© iStock

7 / 31 Fotos

Simón Bolívar - Bolivia is named after Simón Bolívar, a Venezuelan military and political leader who campaigned for the independence of many South American countries.

© Public Domain

8 / 31 Fotos

Dominican Republic - The Dominican Republic is found on the island of Hispaniola. It had been inhabited by the Taíno people since the 7th century.

© iStock

9 / 31 Fotos

Saint Dominic - The country is named after Saint Dominic, a Castilian priest and patron saint of astronomers.

© iStock

10 / 31 Fotos

Philippines - The archipelagic country is found in Southeast Asia. The Philippines consists of over 7,600 islands.

© iStock

11 / 31 Fotos

Philip II - The Philippines is named after Philip II of Spain. The king's empire stretched to every continent the Europeans could reach, including the Philippines.

© Public Domain

12 / 31 Fotos

Israel - Israel is located east of the Mediterranean Sea. It became an independent country in 1948.

© iStock

13 / 31 Fotos

Jacob/Israel - The country is named after the biblical figure of Jacob, who was also named Israel. Here he is pictured wrestling an angel.

© Public Domain

14 / 31 Fotos

Liechtenstein - Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked microstate, located in Central Europe. It has a small population of around 40,000, with a hugely successful economy.

© iStock

15 / 31 Fotos

The House of Liechtenstein -

Liechtenstein is reigned by and named after the House of Liechtenstein, a family with history stretching back to the 17th century. Hans-Adam II is the current sovereign ruler.

©

Getty Images

16 / 31 Fotos

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - This country is located on an island arc in the West Indies. The country has a French and British colonial history.

© iStock

17 / 31 Fotos

Saint Vincent of Saragossa - Saint Vincent of Saragossa is the inspiration for this country's name. He was the patron saint of Lisbon and Valencia. Explorers arrived on the island on January 22, St. Vincent's feast day.

© Public Domain

18 / 31 Fotos

Russia - The transcontinental behemoth is the world's largest country.

© iStock

19 / 31 Fotos

Rus -

Russia is named after Rus, one of three mythological brothers who traveled and settled around the world. Belarus also takes its name from this Slavic legend.

©

Shutterstock

20 / 31 Fotos

Saint Lucia - The small island country is populated by around 180,000 people. It was previously named Iyonola, by the native Amerindians.

© iStock

21 / 31 Fotos

Saint Lucy -

This country takes its name from Saint Lucy, a Christian martyr who lived during the first century. Her eyes were famously removed from her face, with varying explanations.

©

Getty Images

22 / 31 Fotos

Solomon Islands - Over 900 islands make up this sovereign state, which can be found in the Oceania area.

© iStock

23 / 31 Fotos

Solomon -

The islands are named after Solomon, a king of Israel who succeeded King David.

©

Shuttertock

24 / 31 Fotos

San Marino - AKA the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, this sunny microstate is surrounded by Italy.

© iStock

25 / 31 Fotos

Saint Marinus - Saint Marinus was a man who founded a monastery in the year 301. From this community, San Marino was born.

© Public Domain

26 / 31 Fotos

Uzbekistan - With a rich history and culture, Uzbekistan is perhaps a little overlooked when it comes to Central Asian countries.

© iStock

27 / 31 Fotos

Öz Beg Khan - The country gets its name from Öz Beg Khan, the longest-reigning leader of the historical Golden Horde region.

© Public Domain

28 / 31 Fotos

Saint Kitts and Nevis - Saint Kitts and Nevis is an underrated island country located in the West Indies.

© iStock

29 / 31 Fotos

Saint Christopher -

Saint Christopher is the inspiration for the country's name. He is the patron saint of travelers, and it's said that he once carried Christ across a river.

From here, why not explore the countries that changed their names.

© Public Domain

30 / 31 Fotos

America, China, and other countries named after people

Find out which countries were named after famous historical figures

America, China, and other countries named after people

© <p>Shutterstock</p>

26/03/25 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Geography

Naming a country is pretty important. Along with a flag and a national anthem, names like America and France can help define a whole national identity. Country names can be inspired by anything.

Algeria roughly translates to "the islands," Cape Verde means "green cape," and Costa Rica means "rich coast." However, this gallery will look at the people who are so important, they have a whole country named after them. You may be surprised to find out, some of the most famous countries around the world are named after real people or historical figures. Click on to explore these countries and the people who inspired their all-important names.

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