List of Philippine city name etymologies

The more than 120 cities in the Philippines as of 2010 have taken their names from a variety of languages both indigenous (Austronesian) and foreign (mostly Spanish). The majority of Philippine cities derive their names from the major regional languages where they are located including Tagalog (Filipino), Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Bicolano, Kapampangan and Pangasinense. They are written using Spanish orthography in most cases, but a few have also retained their indigenous spellings. The names of thirty-six cities derive exclusively from the Spanish language while at least three have taken their names from the old Sanskrit language.

Of the 120 cities, fourteen are named in honor of an individual while ten are named after saints.

City names

City name Province Name origin
Alaminos Pangasinan Juan Alaminos y Vivar, Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines.
Angeles Pampanga a contraction of its original Spanish name El Pueblo de los Angeles which means "The Town of Angels."
Antipolo Rizal Hispanicized form of the Tagalog phrase ang tipolo which means "the breadfruit" in reference to the tree that grew abundantly in the city.
Bacolod Negros Occidental Hispanicized form of bakolod, an old Hiligaynon word for "hill" in reference to the hilly area in the city that is now the barangay of Granada.
Bago Negros Occidental from bago-bago, a local shrub.
Baguio Benguet Hispanicized corruption of the Ibaloi word bagiw which means "moss."
Bais Negros Oriental Cebuano for "large, edible fresh-water eel."
Balanga Bataan Pampango for "clay pot."
Batangas Batangas from batang, Tagalog for "log", in reference to the trunks of logged trees that used to be floated down the Calumpang River which runs through the city.
Bayawan Negros Oriental from bayaw, a Cebuano word which means "to hoist" or "to elevate."[1]
Biñan Laguna Hispanicized corruption of binyagan, Tagalog for "baptismal place."
Bislig Surigao del Sur from bizlin, an ancient gold currency.
Butuan Agusan del Norte from batuan, a Visayan sour fruit.
Cabanatuan Nueva Ecija from banatu, a sturdy vine that grew along the swampy banks of Rio Grande de Pampanga.[2]
Cabuyao Laguna from cabuyao, common name for Citrus macroptera, a species of wild orange
Cadiz Negros Occidental the Spanish city of Cádiz.[3]
Cagayan de Oro Misamis Oriental Cagayan, the Philippine province in northern Luzon, and the Spanish phrase de oro which means "of gold."
Calamba Laguna Hispanicized corruption of kalan-banga, Tagalog for "clay jar."
Calapan Mindoro Oriental Hispanicized form of the old Tagalog word kalapang which means "branch."[4]
Calbayog Samar from bayog, a Visayan word for the "Pterospermum diversifolium" tree that grew in abundance in the city.[5]
Caloocan Metro Manila Hispanicized form of the Tagalog root word lo-ok; kalook-lookan (or kaloob-looban) which means "innermost area."
Candon Ilocos Sur from kandung, an Ilocano sandalwood tree believed to be extinct; or the Spanish municipality of Candón in Huelva, Andalucia.
Canlaon Negros Oriental Kanlaon Volcano.
Cauayan Isabela Hispanicized form of kawayan, Tagalog for "bamboo."
Cavite Cavite Hispanicized form of kawit or corruption of kalawit, Tagalog words for "hook," in reference to the small hook-shaped peninsula jutting into Manila Bay.
Cebu Cebu Hispanicized corruption of sugbu, Cebuano for "to walk on shallow waters," referring to the shallows through which one had to wade in order to reach dry land from the port of the city.
Cotabato Maguindanao Hispanicized form of kuta wato, Maguindanao for "stone fort."
Dagupan Pangasinan from pandaragupan, a Pangasinense word which means "gathering place", due to the city's history as a market center.[6]
Danao Cebu Hispanicized form of danawan, a Cebuano word for "small lake."[7]
Dapitan Zamboanga del Norte Cebuano for "to invite."[8]
Dasmariñas Cavite Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas, the seventh Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines.
Davao Davao del Sur Hispanicized form of dawaw, a Guiangan name for the Davao River.
Digos Davao del Sur Hispanicized corruption of padigus, a Lumad word which means "to take a bath" in reference to the Digos River.
Dipolog Zamboanga del Norte from dipag, Subanon for "across the river."
Dumaguete Negros Oriental from dagit, a Cebuano word which means "to snatch", in reference to the frequent marauding attacks of pirates in the past and the city's power to charm and keep tourists and visitors.
Escalante Negros Occidental the Spanish municipality of Escalante.[9]
Gapan Nueva Ecija from gapang, a Tagalog word which means "crawl."
General Santos South Cotabato Paulino Santos, Filipino Commanding General of the Philippine Army.
Gingoog Misamis Oriental Hispanicized form of hingoog, a Manobo word which means "good luck."
Himamaylan Negros Occidental from hima babaylan, a Hiligaynon phrase which means "foot doctor."
Iligan Lanao del Norte Higaonon for "fortress".
Iloilo Iloilo Hispanicized corruption of irong-irong, Hiligaynon for "nose-like," referring to the shape of the delta formed by what are now called the Iloilo and Salog Rivers.
Iriga Camarines Sur from i raga, a Bicolano phrase which means "there is land."
Isabela Basilan Isabella II, Queen of Spain.
Kabankalan Negros Occidental from bangkal, a Philippine Leichhard tree.
Kidapawan Cotabato from tida pawan, a Manobo phrase which means "highland spring".
Koronadal South Cotabato from koron nadal, a B'laan phrase which means "grass plain."
La Carlota Negros Occidental the Spanish municipality of La Carlota.
Laoag Ilocos Norte Ilocano for "light or clarity."
Lapu-Lapu Cebu Lapu-Lapu, the ancient ruler of Mactan.
Las Piñas Metro Manila Spanish for "The Pineapples"; the city's old name however is "Las Peñas" meaning "The Rocks".[10]
Legazpi Albay Miguel López de Legazpi, the first Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines.
Ligao Albay from ticao, a Bicolano word for a tree with poisonous leaves.
Lipa Batangas from lipa, a Philippine linden tree.
Lucena Quezon The Spanish municipality of Lucena.[11]
Maasin Southern Leyte Cebuano for "salty."
Makati Metro Manila from kumakati, Tagalog for "ebbing tide"; shortened and Filipinized form of its original Spanish name "San Pedro de Macati."
Malaybalay Bukidnon from a Cebuano phrase which means "house of the Malays".
Malolos Bulacan from paluslos, a Kapampangan word which means "downstream" in reference to the Calumpit River.
Mandaluyong Metro Manila from daluyong, Tagalog for "big waves from the sea"; the city's original name is San Felipe Neri.
Mandaue Cebu Hispanicized form of mantawi, a Cebuano variety of vine.[12]
Manila Metro Manila Hispanicized corruption of the Tagalog-Sanskrit phrase may nila which means "there is nila" (indigo tree in Sanskrit) referring to the prevalence of the tree.
Marawi Lanao del Sur from rawi, a Maranao word which means "reclining" in reference to the lilies that bend northward on the banks of the mouth of the Agus River.
Marikina Metro Manila Félix Berenguer de Marquina, the Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines.
Masbate Masbate Hispanicized corruption of masabat, Bicolano for "to meet along the way," referring to the strategic position of the city within Philippine maritime trade routes.
Meycauayan Bulacan Hispanicized form of the Tagalog phrase may kawayan meaning "a place full of bamboos."
Muntinlupa Metro Manila munting lupa, Tagalog for "small land."
Muñoz Nueva Ecija Francisco Muñoz, Spanish politician and former gobernadorcillo of Nueva Ecija.[13]
Naga Camarines Sur Bicolano for narra, a type of rosewood tree.
Navotas Metro Manila Hispanicized form of the Tagalog word nabutas which means "breached" or "pierced through" in reference to the formation of the Navotas River.
Olongapo Zambales Hispanicized corruption of olo nin apo, a Zambal phrase which means "head of the elder."
Ormoc Leyte Hispanicized corruption of ogmok, a Cebuano word which means "lowland" or "plain."
Oroquieta Misamis Occidental the barrio of Oroquieta in the district of Villaverde in Madrid, Spain.
Ozamiz Misamis Occidental José Ozámiz, a Filipino politician from Mindanao.
Pagadian Zamboanga del Sur from padian, an Iranun word for "market."
Palayan Nueva Ecija Tagalog for "rice field."
Panabo Davao del Norte from taboan, a Cebuano word which means "marketplace."
Parañaque Metro Manila Hispanicized corruption of Palanyag, the old Tagalog name of the Parañaque River.
Pasay Metro Manila Dayang-dayang Pasay, a Namayan princess. The city's old name is Pineda, after Spanish horticulturist Cornelio Pineda.
Pasig Metro Manila from pasi, a Sanskrit word meaning "riverbank."
Passi Iloilo from passis, a Kinaray-a word which means "unhusked rice."
Puerto Princesa Palawan a contraction of its original Spanish name Puerto de la Princesa which means "Port of the Princess" named after Princess Eulalia of Spain.[14]
Quezon Metro Manila Manuel Luis Quezon, the second president of the Philippines.
Roxas Capiz Manuel Acuña Roxas, the fifth president of the Philippines.
Sagay Negros Occidental from sigay, a Hiligaynon word for "shell."
Samal Davao del Norte Sama, an indigenous ethnic group in Mindanao.
San Carlos Negros Occidental Saint Charles Borromeo.
San Carlos Pangasinan Saint Charles Borromeo.
San Fernando La Union Saint Ferdinand, King of Spain.
San Fernando Pampanga Saint Ferdinand, King of Spain.
San Jose Nueva Ecija Saint Joseph
San Jose del Monte Bulacan Saint Joseph of the Mountain.
San Juan Metro Manila Saint John the Baptist; the city's longer official name is San Juan del Monte, Spanish for "Saint John of the Mountain."
San Pablo Laguna Saint Paul the First Hermit.
Santa Rosa Laguna Saint Rose of Lima.
Santiago Isabela Saint James the Apostle.
Silay Negros Occidental from kansilay, a local Philippine tree.
Sipalay Negros Occidental Suludnon for "there is rice"[15]
Sorsogon Sorsogon Hispanicized form of sogsogon, a Bicolano verb meaning "to continuously follow a course, such as a trail or a river."
Surigao Surigao del Norte Hispanicized corruption of suligan, a Manobo word for "where there is sulig," a species of fish.
Tabaco Albay Spanish for "tobacco."
Tacloban Leyte Hispanicized corruption of tarakluban, a Waray-Waray word which means "to catch fish."
Tacurong Sultan Kudarat Hispanicized corruption of talakudong, a Maguindanao word which means a traditional "head covering" or "hat."
Tagaytay Cavite Tagalog for "ridge".
Tagbilaran Bohol from tagubilaan, a Boholano phrase which means "to hide from the Moros."[16]
Taguig Metro Manila Hispanicized form of the Tagalog word taga-giik meaning "rice thresher."
Tagum Davao del Norte from magugpo, a Mandaya word which means "tall tree."
Talisay Cebu from talisay, a Visayan variety of Indian almond tree.
Talisay Negros Occidental from talisay, a Visayan variety of Indian almond tree.
Tanauan Batangas Hispanicized form of the Tagalog word tanawan which means "vista" or "view."
Tangub Misamis Occidental from tangkob, a Subanon word which means "rice basket."[17]
Tanjay Negros Oriental Hispanicized corruption of taytay, a Cebuano word which means "bamboo bridge."[18]
Tarlac Tarlac Hispanicized rendering of tarlak, Aeta term for a certain grass related to talahib (cogon) and tanglar (Zambal for lemongrass).
Tayabas Quezon from bayabas, a Tagalog word for the "guava" fruit; or from Tayaban, a winged being of human form and usually seen at night. Its body glows like swarms of tropical firefly. The idea of the Tayaban may have originated from, or been suggested by the firefly.[19]
Toledo Cebu the Spanish city of Toledo.
Trece Martires Cavite Spanish for "thirteen martyrs." The city was named in honor of the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite.
Tuguegarao Cagayan Hispanicized form of the Ibanag phrase tuggui gari yaw meaning "this used to be fire."
Urdaneta Pangasinan Andrés de Urdaneta, Spanish friar, circumnavigator and explorer.
Valencia Bukidnon the Spanish city of Valencia.
Valenzuela Metro Manila Pío Valenzuela, a Filipino patriot.
Victorias Negros Occidental from Nuestra Señora de las Victorias, Spanish for "Our Lady of Victories".
Vigan Ilocos Sur Hispanicization of bî-gán (美岸), Hokkien for "beautiful shore".
Zamboanga Zamboanga del Sur Hispanicized form of samboangan, Sinama for "anchorage," or literally, "place of mooring poles," referring to the settlement and port town at the southern tip of Mindanao's western peninsula.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cultural Heritage City Government of Bayawan. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  2. ↑ Our History City Government of Cabanatuan. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  3. ↑ Brief History City Government of Cadiz. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  4. ↑ General Information City Government of Calapan. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  5. ↑ Calbayog City Government of Calbayog. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  6. ↑ History Part I - Spanish Rule Dagupan.com. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  7. ↑ Danao City Brief History Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  8. ↑ Dapitan History Dapitan.com. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  9. ↑ Escalante City History Negros Occidental Provincial Government. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  10. ↑ History LasPinas.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  11. ↑ About Lucena Quezon Provincial Government. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  12. ↑ History of Mandaue City City Government of Mandaue. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  13. ↑ All About Science City of Muñoz City Government of Muñoz. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  14. ↑ History of Puerto Princesa Puerto Princesa Resorts. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  15. ↑ About City of Sipalay City Government of Sipalay. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  16. ↑ Tagbilaran City General Info City Government of Tagbilaran. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  17. ↑ City of Tangub History City Government of Tangub. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  18. ↑ Tanjay History Retraced Timoteo S. Oracion. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  19. ↑ Tayabas Brief History ExploreQuezon.com. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
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