Where does Panama get its name?

ScottHughes · 06-21-2007

Where does Panama get its name? How long has Panama had the name Panama? Do you like the name?

Lalaguayaba · 08-02-2007

Its thought that the name 'Panama' comes from an indiginous Indian phrase meaning 'place of fishes.' And considering its geography, easy to understand; the seafood there is awesome.
Panama took its name when it split with the Spanish crown in 1821, and united with Columbia.
I do not like, nor dislike the name. It's a place name, a kind of neutral word. I can't think of any reason why one would feel either way about the name, since it was named a good long time ago. Its like asking whether America is a good name, or Canada...kind of moot.

Cheers.

tallman33 · 08-02-2007

I should go fishing in Panama. I never catch anything when I fish, but maybe I would have better luck in Panama.

ankuranks · 12-16-2007

panama got its name from the latin word meaning silence,no idea about when it was named so.

Lalaguayaba · 12-16-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ankuranks

Panama got its name from the Latin word meaning silence,no idea about when it was named so.

Please read above--it is not named from the Latin for 'silence,' which is 'silentium,' my post clearly states the commonly accepted source of the name and when it was so named.

Cheers.

CHICO · 12-17-2007

One of the most beautiful and tallest trees in Panama is called: Panama! Wow! For some, that explains everything, the land where the Panama tree grows became the land of Panama of course. Besides, the word "panama" in one of our indigenous comunities means: abundance of buterflies and abundance of fish in another of our natives comunities. So, a majestic tree, abundance of fish or buterflies are all very accurate sources for the name of this beautiful isthmus.

nuaeman · 12-26-2007

I never realize Panama itself has quite a few meanings and such, for me the name sounds ok to me.

Latortura · 05-29-2008

Some of the descriptions here are beuatiful. i love names that have meaning like mine means Liberty, freedom, In Greek it is Eleftheria. So a nation that has a name wiht meaning reflects the spiritual depth of its people.

abhishek_513 · 06-14-2008

Even i was wondering where did it get it's name...But i know that it has been it's name from long time..It is a very beautiful place

Panamax · 07-12-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottHughes

Where does Panama get its name? How long has Panama had the name Panama? Do you like the name?

Panama got it's name from a word (in the dialect of it's natives) meaning "an abundance of fish" due to - you guessed it - an abundance of fish in the country's waters. I think it's as cool a name as any country could possibly have... Easy to pronounce (accent on the first syllable in English, on the last in Spanish).