Amsterdam was named after the dam built across the Amstel river in the 13th century, around which a fishing village grew. The name is a compound of 'Amstel' (the river) and 'dam'. The city received city rights in 1306 and grew rapidly as a trading port, eventually becoming the most important commercial centre in the world during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century.
| Country | Netherlands |
| Region | 07 |
| Population | 741,636 |
| Language of origin | Dutch |
| Type of name | Geographic feature |
Etymology & History
Amsterdam is a pplc located in 07, Netherlands. With a population of approximately 741,636, it is one of many communities whose name tells a story about the region's past.
Understanding why places are named as they are gives us a window into history — the languages spoken, the people honoured, the landscapes encountered and the cultures that shaped the world we live in today. The field of toponymy (the study of place names) reveals that almost every name has a meaning, even when that meaning has been obscured by centuries of linguistic change.