PENNSYLVANIA - Pennsylvania, one of the original thirteen colonies, holds a name that is deeply tied to its founder and its landscape. But before it was officially chartered, the land that would become the Keystone State was simply a vast expanse of forest, and its founder, William Penn, had a different name in mind. The story of how Pennsylvania got its name is a fascinating piece of colonial history involving a king, a debt, and a humble Quaker's wish.
The Founding and Naming of the Colony:
The land that is now Pennsylvania was granted to William Penn in 1681 by King Charles II of England. The grant was a payment for a significant debt the king owed to Penn's late father, Admiral Sir William Penn.
When it came time to name the new colony, William Penn, a devout Quaker, had his own ideas. His first suggestion was "New Wales." However, a Welsh member of the King's Privy Council objected to this name. Penn's second suggestion was "Sylvania," a Latin word meaning "forests" or "woods," a fitting description for the region's vast woodlands.
King Charles II, however, had his idea. To honor his late friend and loyal subject, Admiral Penn, the king added the name "Penn" to Sylvania, officially christening the new colony "Pennsylvania," which translates to "Penn's Woods."
William Penn was reportedly embarrassed by this, fearing that people would think he had named the colony after himself out of vanity, which went against his humble Quaker beliefs. Despite his objections, the king's chosen name stuck.
So, what was Pennsylvania's original name? While it was briefly proposed as "New Wales" and then "Sylvania," it was officially chartered and established from the very beginning as the Province of Pennsylvania. The name itself is a lasting tribute to both its founder's family and its beautiful, forested landscape.
Sources:
- The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
- Ushistory.org
- Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC)
- Biographies of William Penn
- Records of King Charles II's reign
What Was The Original Name of Pennsylvania?
What Was The Original Name of Pennsylvania?
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