Vienna (German: Wien) traces its name to the Celtic settlement 'Vedunia', meaning 'forest stream', referring to the Wien river that flows through the city. The Romans established a garrison called 'Vindobona' on the same site around 15 BCE, from the Celtic 'vindo' (white, bright) and 'bona' (foundation, base). The modern name Wien evolved from medieval German adaptations of these earlier forms.
| Country | Austria |
| Region | 09 |
| Population | 1,691,468 |
| Language of origin | Celtic/Latin |
| Type of name | Geographic feature |
Etymology & History
Vienna is a pplc located in 09, Austria. With a population of approximately 1,691,468, 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.