London emerged as a settlement founded by the Romans around 43 AD, who named it Londinium.
The exact origin of the word "Londinium" is uncertain, and several theories exist:
- Celtic origin: A popular theory suggests that "Londinium" comes from a Celtic form, possibly *Londonjon. This could be formed from elements such as "lond-" (which might mean "wild" or refer to a marshy area) and the suffix "-onjon" (a common suffix for place names). Therefore, it could mean something like "wild settlement" or "settlement in the marshy area." Another Celtic suggestion is "Llyn din," supposedly meaning "lake fortress" in Welsh, but this etymology is considered linguistically improbable.
- Pre-Celtic origin: Another theory proposes a pre-Celtic origin, suggesting an Indo-European word *Plowonida, which could have meant "navigable river" (referring to the Thames). The Celts would have adapted this name into something similar to "Lowonidonjon," which later evolved into "Londinium" under Roman influence.
- Celtic personal name: There is also the suggestion that "Londinium" could have been derived from a Celtic personal name, *Londinos, which would mean "the wild one."
- Mythical theories: Over time, there have also been mythical theories, such as that of Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century, who claimed that the city was named Kaerlud after a legendary king named Lud.
However, the most accepted origin is either Celtic or pre-Celtic, with the Latin form "Londinium" being the Roman adaptation of an older name. The exact meaning of the original word remains uncertain and is still a subject of debate among linguists and historians.
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