How Mississippi got its name.

Wikipedia says that the word Mississippi comes from Messipi, the French rendering of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe or Algonquin) name for the river, Misi-ziibi (Great River). This is by and large the accepted version.

I have an alternate theory. The Anishinaabe are Indo-Americans and are migrants who branched out from Dravidian tribes at some point in the misty past. Their language has many Tamil remnants and hence, it might help to analyse their place names using Tamil.

Let's take Mississippi. When examined with Tamil goggles, Mississippi feels like MUTHSIPPI or MUTHU SIPPI. Now Muthu means pearl and Sippi is Oyster. So MUTHU SIPPI just cues 'PEARL OYSTERS'.

The sceptic mind might dismiss this claim as far-fetched. But let's study the Mississippi state. One of the rivers in Mississippi is called the PEARL RIVER. And the Mississippi river has a rich history of being a lead source for pearl farming.

Given this startling coincidence, is it possible that Mississippi was MUTHU SIPPI?

How Canada got its name.

Anglia, Hochelaga, Norland, Superior and Victorialand were some of the names considered before some wise men chose Canada as their country's name in February 1867. Wikipedia adds that the name Canada originated around 1535 from the Saint-Lawrence Iroquoian word Kanata meaning "village", "settlement", or "land"; another contemporary translation was "cluster of dwellings".

To me, Canada has always sounded like an Indian word. The Wiki explanation kind of solved an old puzzle in my head. However, I do wish to draw your attention to a remarkable coincidence. The Sanskrit word 'Kanda' which means 'branch, chapter or cluster' seems totally synonymous with the Iroquoian 'Kanata'. Kanda is of vedic vintage and has been in currency since god-knows-when. The Indian sub-continent was often referred to as Bharata Kanda. So is it possible that Kanda gave rise to Kanata which in turn gave us 'Canada'? Me thinks, YES. As the 'Kanda' usage somehow feels more appropriate than the small land mass sense conveyed by 'Kanata'.

How Saskatchewan got its name.

Saskatchewan is Canada's fifth largest province. It takes its name from the Saskatchewan river. Legend has it that Saskatchewan means 'swift flowing river' in the Cree Indian language.

My take: Saskatchewan is a prarie province with more than 50% forest land. The -wan suffix in the name seems of Sanskrit origin. Van in Sanskrit means forest which kind of fits the profile of the land. Further, 'Kutch' in Sanskrit means 'island' and 'sas' cues 'six'. So Saskatchewan means 'the forest with six islands'. My view is the six islands in reference are the six great tribes - Algonquins (Algonquin), Atikameks (Atikamekw), Cree (Cree), Inuit (Inuktitut), Montagnais (Innu), and Naskapi (Naskapi). The only way to nail this hypothesis is to study the connection between the Cree language and Sanskrit.

How Ottawa got its name.

Ottawa is the capital of Canada. Originally christened Bytown, it was renamed as Ottawa in 1855. Ottawa gets its name from the Ottawa river which in turn takes its name from the Ojibwe tribe 'Odawas' who happened to be located near the river. Historians somehow seem to think that 'Odawas' means 'traders' and hence that's become the officially sanctioned etymology for Ottawa.

I have a slightly different take. Yes, Ottawa owes its existence to Odawas. But 'traders' just doesn't seem logical. Ancient tribes usually name themselves after geographical markers and not their occupation. Here was a river side tribe who also indulged in trading. Why would they call themselves traders? Wouldn't they call themselves, the river people?

If for a moment, we were to assume that the Ojibwes were long-lost nomadic Dravidian tribes from India, then we'll be in a position to solve this jigsaw more elegantly. 'Odai' in Tamil means 'river'. And -va is an Indian suffix to cue origin (the Pandavas, for example, are 'those who were beget by Pandu'). So Odaiwa will mean 'river people'. And that's how I think Ottawa got its name.

How Glass got its name.

Wikipedia says, "The term glass developed in the late Roman Empire. It was in the Roman glassmaking center at Trier, now in modern Germany, that the late-Latin term glesum originated, probably from a Germanic word for a transparent, lustrous substance."

But another entry in Wiki reads, "Indigenous development of glass technology in South Asia may have begun in 1730 BCE.Evidence of this culture includes a red-brown glass bead along with a hoard of beads dating to that period, making it the earliest attested glass from the Indus Valley locations. Glass discovered from later sites dating from 600–300 BCE displays common color."

Now the timeline of the Roman Empire is stated as between 27 BC and 476 AD. Clearly, the Indus Valley precedes the Roman empire. So glass must have been known to the Indian subcontinent much earlier than the Roman empire.

So could the word 'glass' have originated from India? Why not?

Here's my theory: There's a sanskrit word called 'Kelasa' which means 'crystal'. Incidentally, 'Kelasa' is the root word for Kailash. Mount Kailash is often referred to as the Crystal Mountain for being pure and sacred. Now doesn't 'kelasa' sound very similar to 'glass'? The red crystal beads that Wiki talks about would have been called the kelasa beads in ancient times. So may be with time, the 'kla' in kelasa became 'gla' and that's how we got glass.

How Denmark got its name.

Conventional Theory:The etymology of the word Denmark, and especially the relationship between Danes and Denmark and the unifying of Denmark as a single kingdom, is a subject which attracts debate.[16][17] This is centred primarily around the prefix "Dan" and whether it refers to the Dani or a historical person Dan and the exact meaning of the -"mark" ending. The issue is further complicated by a number of references to various Dani people in Scandinavia or other places in Europe in Greek and Roman accounts (like Ptolemy, Jordanes, and Gregory of Tours), as well as mediaeval literature. The earliest descriptions of the origin of the word 'Denmark', describing a territory, are found in the Chronicon Lethrense (12th century), Svend Aagesen (late 12th century), Saxo Grammaticus (early 13th century) and the Ballad of Eric (mid-15th century). There are, however, many more Danish annuals and yearbooks containing various other details, similar tales in other variations, other names or spelling variations. Most handbooks derive the first part of the word, and the name of the people, from a word meaning "flat land", related to German Tenne "threshing floor", English den "cave",the -mark is believed to mean woodland or borderland.

My Take: 'Dhana' in Sanskrit means 'Meadows or lush pastures' and 'Marga' means 'way or path'. So Dhana Marga is a land leading to a lush green domain. There is evidence that agriculture took root in Denmark around 3000 BC. So is Dhana Marga = Denmark? One fact that strengthens this case is the lead river of Denmark is called Guden. Gu in Sanskrit means 'Cow', Den is the act of consuming the 'dhana' and giving something in return!

How Kentucky got its name.

Conventional Theory: "It is generally accepted that the historic Native American tribes who hunted in what is now Kentucky referred to the region as Catawba, or some similar variant. Some have said that the land was described in this way to Daniel Boone by a native Chief. According to The Kentucky Blue Book,Dragging Canoe, a young Cherokee chief opposed to selling ancestral hunting grounds, warned the whites that they were purchasing a "dark and bloody ground." The origin of Kentucky's modern name (variously spelled Cane-tuck-ee, Cantucky, Kain-tuck-ee, and Kentuckee before its modern spelling was accepted)comes from an Iroquois word meaning "meadow lands", referring to the buffalo hunting grounds in Central Kentucky's savanna." Wikipedia.

My Take: The Iroquois Indians are of Asian genetic stock (B Haplogroup). And there is this theory that the Haplogroup B could have been from the lost continent 'Mu' which many people believe to be the cradle for India, China and Japan. Now, the spoken language of this hypothetical civilization could have either been Sanskrit or Tamil (two of the oldest languages). 'Kantaka' in both these languages meant 'thorny'. And Kantaka Kshetra meant a 'thorny field or meadow'. It is possible that the Iroquois Indians used the same root words. So my surmise is Kantaka gave us Kentucky.

How Mozambique got its name.

Traditional Theory: "The country was named Moçambique by the Portuguese after the Island of Mozambique, derived from Musa Al Big or Mossa Al Bique or Mussa Ben Mbiki, an Arab trader who first visited the island and later lived there."

My Theory: The internet has a habit of parroting what is reflected in Wikipedia. And Wikipedia relies on sources that don't cite any basis for their theories. This Arab gentleman named 'Mossa Al Bique' urf 'Mussa Ben Mbiki' has been cited by various sources to have existed anywhere between 7th Century AD to 15th Century AD. That's a rather long time band to be taken too seriously. In such a situation, it helps to look at an alternative angle. When Vasco da Gama visited the Island of Mozambique around 1498, he saw that place teeming with Indian traders from Gujarat. So isn't it possible for Mozambique to have an Indian origin? When I googled about Gujaratis in Mozambique, this pdf showed up. It chronicles the tale of Gujarati Hindus in Portugal. There is a reference in this essay to an Ambe temple idol that was supposed to have been shipped from Mozambique to Portugal. Considering how important the Goddess Ambe or Ambica is to the Navratri loving Gujaratis, is it possible for Mozambique to have been derived from 'Moksha Ambica' (the abode of our goddess)? This is highly possible as the Isle of Mozambique was famed for its gold. Could it have been that the Gujarati traders might have stumbled upon the gold and to thank their stars, they built a huge temple for Ambica? Someone should explore this train of thought. You never know what it reveals.

How Kathmandu got its name.

The conventional theory goes like this: "Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal is situated at about 1400M altitude in a bowl shaped valley surrounded by four major hills. Seven rivers flow through the city. The city was originally known as Kantipur (the abode of Lakshmi).Some claim that the name came from Kashta Mandap (Sanskrit for wooden structure), a three storeyed temple built in pagoda style in sixteenth century, dedicated to Gorakhnath. The structure is made entirely of wood, using no iron nails."

My theory: Kathmandu is derived from the Tamil phrase 'Kaatu Mandapam' or the Mandap made of forest trees. The Tamil connection is highly possible because Dharma Dutta of Kanchipuram is said to have built the Pasupathinath Temple in Kathmandu. Kaatu Mandap seems a closer cousin to Kathmandu than Kashta Mandap, don't you think?

How Kazhakstan got its name.

There are at least 4 theories floating around to explain how Kazhakstan got its name:

a) It comes from the Turkish verb qaz (to wander), because the Kazakhs were wandering steppemen
b) It derives from the Mongol word khasaq (a wheeled cart used by the Kazakhs to transport their yurts and belongings).
c) The name came from the popular Kazakh legend of the white goose (qaz means "goose", aq means "white").[18][19] In this creation myth, a white steppe goose turned into a princess, who in turn gave birth to the first Kazakh.
d) Another theory on the origin of the word Kazakh (originally Qazaq) is that it comes from the ancient Turkic word qazğaq, first mentioned on the 8th century Turkic monument of Uyuk-Turan. According to the notable Turkic linguist Vasily Radlov and the orientalist Veniamin Yudin, the noun qazğaq derives from the same root as the verb qazğan ("to obtain", "to gain"). Therefore, qazğaq defines a type of person who seeks profit and gain.

I have a new theory. My view is, Kazhakstan has a Sanskrit root. Derived from Kashak-stan. Kashak is the sanskrit word for grass. The grassy terrain of the great Kazhak steppe might have been the trigger for Indic nomads to give this name. I shall present more evidence in the coming days.

How Brazil got its name.

Most of the theories on Brazil's etymology are fairly muddled. Wikipedia says, "Traditionally, the word "Brazil" comes from brazilwood, a timber tree that many sailors traded from Brazilian regions to Europe in the 16th century.[18] In Portuguese brazilwood is called pau-brasil, with the word brasil commonly given the etymology "red like an ember", formed from Latin brasa ("ember") and the suffix -il (from -iculum or -ilium).This theory is taught as official in schools of Brazil and Portugal." Somehow it's deeply unsatisfying. I am of the view that the tree is not distinctive enough to justify naming an entire region after it. Clearly, there's a need for an alternate theory. This is where Sanskrit can help. Bri/Bru, as we now know, means hill. And Shil or Shila means rock. What would you call a place where the terrain is predominantly rocky? Brushil, right? And that's how Brazil was born.

How Brian got his name.

Brian is of Celtic origin. Behindthename suggests that it is possibly related to the old Celtic element bre meaning hill. Now the Celts have an ancient Indian connect. Many of their words and customs are Proto-Indo-European in nature. Just like Bre in Celtic, the Bri in Sanskrit also means hill. So it is highly possible that Brian was derived from the Sanskrit Brihan which means 'hill-like' or 'as big as a hill' or by extension 'great'. This aspect of Brihan is what, we in India, are aware of, today. Brihan Mumbai for example, means Greater Mumbai. If Brihan Mumbai were a Celtic town, it would have been Brian Mumbai!

How Reykjavik got its name.

Wikipedia has offered a rather contrived origin for Reykjavik. It goes like this: "The first permanent settlement in Iceland by Norsemen is believed to have been established in Reykjavík by Ingólfur Arnarson around AD 870; this is described in Landnámabók, or the Book of Settlement. Ingólfur Arnarson is said to have decided the location of his settlement using a traditional Viking method; by casting his high seat pillars (Öndvegissúlur) into the ocean when he saw the coastline, then settled where the pillars came to shore. Steam from hot springs in the region is said to have inspired Reykjavík's name, which loosely translates to Smoke Cove (the city is often referred to as the Bay of Smokes or Bay of Smoke)." There's no mention of the language in which smoke cove is reykjavik. Since the mind tends to associate hot springs with the place, somehow the explanation seems credible. But is it?
One look at the google map of iceland is enough to convince any Indian with a passing knowledge of Sanskrit, that most names seem to be of an indic origin. So why shouldn't Reykjavik have a Sanskrit root? Why can't it be derived from Rig Gyaanik (one who knows the rig veda) or Rig Avik (the fort of Rig Veda)? This seems highly possible as the icelandic edda is supposed to be the equivalent of the veda. Seeing this entire episode in the context of Bal Gangadhar Tilak's Arctic origin of the Vedas, I am almost tempted to ask myself: Was Reykyavik the home of the Vedas?

How Eindhoven, Antwerp & Rotterdam got their names.

Wikipedia says: "The name Eindhoven derives from the contraction of the regional words eind (meaning last or end) and hove (or hoeve; a section of some 14 hectares of land)." I think the name may have a vedic connect. The sixth descendant of Puru was Raudrasva. He had ten sons. Vaneyu was the last. Vaneyu (one from the forest) sounds suspiciously close to slavic deity vanja/vanya. Considering that the proto-indo-european language is said to have emerged from the Nordic regions, it is highly possible that Eindhoven is a nod to the last son of Raudra named Vanya. Incidentally, Vanya's elder brother is Varpeyu. The 'werp' in Antwerp may have something to do with Varpeyu. If so, then Ant must be a legacy of the Sanskrit Anth (meaning final, last or end)? But then, this poses a complication. If Antwerp = Anth Varpa = Land of the last son Varpeyu. And if Eindhoven = Antho Vanya = Land of the last son Vanya. Then clearly there must have been a confusion as to who was the last son. Now for all of this to have been true, Raudra must have been a great figure in Netherlands. We have evidence for this. Rotterdam is but Raudra-Dham!

How Tanganyika got its name.

Conventional wisdom says Tanganyika is derived from Swahili for 'sail'. I have another theory. Tanganyika has a very Tamil sound. And it feels like it must have been formed from 'Thanga Neekka' or 'Where gold is removed'. It's highly possible that Tamil explorers discovered gold deposits near the lake and concentrated their energies on neekifying thangam or mining out gold. So the waterway to the gold deposits became Thanga-neeka and over a period of time it morphed into the Swahili Tanganyika.

And why do I feel this is credible? Ancient Tamils did a lot of trading with East Africa. And evidence is fast emerging that much of South India's gold came from Africa. Also, Tanzania is the third big gold producer of Africa.

How Aswan got its name.

Egypt's third largest city is said to be have been derived from the Egyptian word 'Swen' which means 'the market'. Somehow this doesn't strike a chord with me. Ashwa is the Sanskrit word for Horse. Considering, Egyptian horses are legendary, could Aswan have been the ancient breeding ground for the famed Arabian horses?

How Jerusalem got its name.

It is a recorded fact that Tamils and the ancient Hebrew people were in touch for trade. So it's highly possible for Tamil words to have seeped into the Judaic world. Wikipedia says that Jerusalem was derived from Yerushalyim.

The explanation put out doesn't have a ring of certainty. Given the unsure nature of the etymology, it might help to view it from a Tamil prism. Yeru is a Tamil word meaning to climb and Shailam means hill. So why shouldn't Jerusalem mean 'Climb the hill'? Two evidences can be adduced in support of this theory:

1. Jerusalem sits on seven hills.
2. Salem (a city in Tamil Nadu) got its name because its surrounded by hills.

Doesn't that make you go hmmmmmmmm?

UPDATE: Samanth Subramaniam has come up with an even better suggestion. Yezhu Shailam means Seven Hills. Yezhu could have been corrupted to Yeru Shailam, right?

How Iran got its name.

Iran is often cited to be a derivation of Aryan (noble one or the first one) which happens to be a sanskrit word. The 'cradle of the civilization' theory lends credence to this belief. I have an alternate view. It goes like this...

The ancients have always held that in the beginning there was a massive island named Jambudweepa. It's sub divided into 9 zones. Bharatavarshey is the Indian area. There was also one zone named Hiran Maya where the palm tree was the key source of subsistence. The people there were golden complexioned (Hiran means golden). So basically Iranians are Hiranyans.

How Harappa got its name.

Harappa is located near the Ravi river. Since it was a river-civilization, it's highly possible that the place was designated so by the Indus people.

Now, the Indus script has been widely speculated to be of Dravidian origin. So may be it might help to see Harappa from a Dravidian prism. Which brings us to Tamil - the oldest living Dravidian language. Tamil might shed more light on how 'Harappa' the name was picked.

The thing to note is ancient Tamil didn't have the 'ha' sound. The practise was to substitute 'ha' with 'aa'. Given this background, may be HARAPPA was AARAPPA.

AARAPPA offers exciting possibilities. Because AARU in Tamil means 'River'. And AARAPPAN means 'one who lives near a river'.

May be people of the Harappan civilzation were referred to as 'AARAPANS' and over a period of the Northies started calling it HARAPPA. Sounds plausible?

NOTE: By the same logic, the Ravi river may also owe its origins to Tamil. You just have to look at the word ARUVI. It means river in Tamil and when uttered many times, it reads as RUVI or RAVI!!

How Dennis got his name.

The name Dennis is a derivative of Dionysus which in turn may be a derivative of Daya-nisi (sanskrit/tamil for day & night or compassionate & dark). If that sounds difficult to believe, Dionysus the greek god was said to have been born in an Indian hill named Nysa!