home
Menu
Create
Random
0
0
0
thumbnail

Country Name Etymology 2

Answers are country names, including one former name.
Quiz by bocoker
Rate:
Last updated: May 2, 2022
You have not attempted this quiz yet.
More quiz info >>
First submittedNovember 20, 2015
Times taken1,214
Average score64.3%
Rating4.43
Report this quizReport
Quiz and answer stats >>
Friends stats >>
4:00
Enter answer here
0
 / 14 guessed
The quiz is paused. You have remaining.
Scoring
You scored / = %
This beats or equals % of test takers also scored 100%
The average score is
Your high score is
Your fastest time is
Keep scrolling down for answers and more stats ...
Hint
Answer
Portuguese sailors referred to this stretch of the African coast as "Serra da Leoa," the “Lion Mountain,” later translated to Italian on some maps.
Sierra Leone
Derived possibly from "Biru," either the name of a local ruler living in contemporary Panama, or a (non-existent) ethnic group thought to live along the Pacific coast further south.
Peru
From Greek, “Indian Island.”
Indonesia
From the Latin "romanus," meaning “citizen of Rome.”
Romania
From an English interpretation of the Portuguese "Rio dos Camarões" (Shrimp River).
Cameroon
The essential word of the country’s name derived from an Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci.
United States of America
Asian coastal country named, according to legend, from an expression, “Baru nah!” (“That’s it!”) uttered by founder Awang Alak Tetatar.
Brunei
Hint
Answer
Possibly from the Sumerian city of Uruk.
Iraq
Former name derived from a Portuguese interpretation of an expression of the Kikongo language, "Ndzere," meaning “the river that swallows all rivers.”
Zaire
The Greek name appears twice in the Iliad, according to Pliny the Elder derived from a man named Aethiops.
Ethiopia
South American country named for a circle of latitude, sometimes called the great circle.
Ecuador
Named for an empire in West Africa, located northwest of the current country.
Ghana
The first part of the name derived from an historical association with the Huns, and the second from a Latinized form of Byzantine Greek, "Oungroi."
Hungary
Probably from the Iroquoian word "kanata," meaning “village” or settlement.”
Canada
8 Comments
Show comments >
AnnikaKim
+4
Level 62
Jun 11, 2021
I just LOVE etymology quizzes.
b1094
+2
Level 68
Apr 18, 2022
Great quiz. Nominated.

N.B. for the Ecuador question:

1. The equator isn't often known as *the* great circle. It is, however, recognised as being *one* of the various great circles. (A great circle is the largest-possible circle that can be drawn on a sphere. e.g. all of the Meridians are also great circles.)

2. Clues about the equator also apply to Equatorial Guinea.

bocoker
+1
Level 78
Apr 20, 2022
Thanks for the nice comment. Re: Ecuador, hence the "sometimes." I can't think of any other country that would qualify, should provide enough info to get it. At least if you know a bit of Spanish.
bocoker
+1
Level 78
Apr 22, 2022
Further to this. Trying to change it to a "South American ..."
akjlddkjslfsd
+1
Level 50
Apr 18, 2022
Great quiz! 5 stars.
asarasohn
+1
Level 43
May 18, 2023
Zaire is now known as DRC
bocoker
+1
Level 78
May 31, 2023
Hence "former name."
boltok
+1
Level 68
Jan 31, 2024
It's worded as "Former name derived from..." which I interpreted as "its former name was derived from...".

Even if that wasn't the intent, "DRC" and "Congo" should still be accepted answers.

Save Your Progress

Copyright H Brothers Inc, 2008–2024

Contact Us | Go To Top | View Mobile Site