Most country names trace back to geography, an ethnic group, or an old regional term — but a distinctive group of countries named after a person carry the name of an actual historical figure.
Countries Named Directly After a Person
- Bolivia — named after Simón Bolívar, the revolutionary leader who led much of South America to independence from Spain
- Colombia — named after Christopher Columbus, honoring the explorer whose voyages opened European contact with the Americas
- Philippines — named after King Philip II of Spain, who ruled during the era of Spanish colonization of the islands
- El Salvador — literally “The Savior,” named after Jesus Christ
- Saudi Arabia — named after the House of Saud, the ruling royal family that founded the modern kingdom
- Kiribati — an indigenized rendering of “Gilberts,” itself named after British explorer Thomas Gilbert
- Dominican Republic — indirectly linked to Saint Dominic, via the city of Santo Domingo
- Marshall Islands — named after British explorer John Marshall
- Cook Islands — named after British explorer Captain James Cook
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Why This List Is So Short
Most countries take their names from far older sources — a dominant ethnic group’s name for themselves (like France, from the Franks), a geographic feature, or a term used by early explorers or colonizers that stuck. Naming an entire country after one individual is comparatively rare, and it’s telling that most examples on this list date from the era of European colonization or independence movements in the Americas, when new political entities needed new names.
Frequently Asked Questions
What countries are named after real people?
Bolivia (Simón Bolívar), Colombia (Christopher Columbus), the Philippines (King Philip II), and Saudi Arabia (the House of Saud) are among the clearest examples.
Is the United States named after a person?
No — “America” is named after Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, but the country’s formal name, the United States of America, describes its founding structure rather than naming it directly after him in the way Bolivia is named after Bolívar.
Why is Bolivia named after Simón Bolívar?
Bolivia was named in honor of Simón Bolívar shortly after gaining independence in 1825, recognizing his central role in liberating much of South America from Spanish rule.
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