List of Philippine city name etymologies explained

See main article: Cities of the Philippines. The more than 140 cities in the Philippines as of 2022 have taken their names from a variety of languages both indigenous (Austronesian) and foreign (mostly Spanish). The majority of Philippine cities derive their names from the major regional languages where they are spoken including Tagalog (Filipino), Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Bicolano, Kapampangan and Pangasinense. They are written using Spanish orthography in most cases, but a few have also retained their indigenous spellings. The names of thirty-nine cities derive exclusively from the Spanish language while at least three have taken their names from the old Sanskrit language.

Of the 149 cities, sixteen are named in honor of an individual while twelve are named after saints.

City names

City name Province Name origin
Alaminos Juan Alaminos y Vivar, Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines.
Angeles none a contraction of its original Spanish name El Pueblo de los Ángeles which means "The Town of Angels."
Antipolo Hispanicized form of the Tagalog phrase ang tipolo which means "the breadfruit", the tree that grew abundantly in the area.
Bacolod none Hispanicized form of bakolod, an old Hiligaynon word for "hill" in reference to the hilly area in the city that is now the barangay of Granada.
Bacoor Hispanicized form of bacood, derived from the Tagalog word which means "fence."[1]
Bago from bago-bago, a local shrub.
Baguio none Hispanicized corruption of the Ibaloi word bagiw which means "moss."
Bais Cebuano for "large, edible fresh-water eel."
Balanga Pampango for "clay pot."
Baliwag Old Kapampangan word for "untouched."
Batac Multiple origins, however, it was believed that the place gets its name from batak, an Ilocano word which means "pull", in reference to pulling efforts together or the assistance given to another who is in need of help. Hence, the name must have been derived from the common trait of the people who are ever ready to extend a helping hand to anybody.[2]
Batangas from batang, Tagalog for "log", in reference to the trunks of logged trees that used to be floated down the Calumpang River which runs through the city.
Bayawan from bayaw, a Cebuano word which means "to hoist" or "to elevate."[3]
Baybay Cebuano word for "shore."[4]
Bayugan Manobo word for "pathway" or from bayug, the local name for bayur tree.[5]
Biñan Hispanicized corruption of binyagan, Tagalog for "baptismal place."
Bislig from bizlin, an ancient gold currency.
Bogo from bogo, an incense tree.[6]
Borongan from borong, a Waray word for "fog", referring to the heavy fog that once covered the place.[7]
Butuan none from batuan, a Visayan sour fruit.
Cabadbaran from badbad, a Cebuano word which means "to untie."[8]
Cabanatuan from banatu, a sturdy vine that grew along the swampy banks of Rio Grande de Pampanga.[9]
Cabuyao from cabuyao, common name for Citrus macroptera, a species of wild orange
Cadiz the Spanish city of Cádiz.[10]
Cagayan de Oro none Cagayan, the Philippine province in northern Luzon, and the Spanish phrase de oro which means "of gold."
Calaca from the roofs of the houses made of bamboos halves arranged over top of one another.
Calamba Hispanicized corruption of kalan-bangá, Tagalog for "clay stove."
Calapan Hispanicized form of the old Tagalog word kalapang which means "branch."[11]
Calbayog from bayog, a Visayan name for the Pterospermum diversifolium tree that grew in abundance in the city.[12]
Caloocan none Hispanicized form of the Tagalog root word lo-ok; kalook-lookan (or kaloob-looban) which means "innermost area."
Candon the Spanish municipality of Candón in Huelva, Andalucia; or kandung, an Ilocano sandalwood tree believed to be extinct.
Canlaon Kanlaon Volcano.
Carcar the Spanish municipality of Cárcar.[13]
Carmona the Spanish municipality of Carmona.
Catbalogan from balaug, a type of shrub that used to thrive along the seashore and mouth of the Antiao River.[14]
Cauayan Hispanicized form of kawayan, Tagalog for "bamboo."
Cavite City Hispanicized form of kawit or corruption of kalawit, Tagalog words for "hook", in reference to the small hook-shaped peninsula jutting into Manila Bay.
Cebu City none Hispanicized corruption of sugbu, Cebuano for "to walk on shallow waters", referring to the shallows through which one had to wade in order to reach dry land from the port of the city.
Cotabato City none Hispanicized form of kuta wato, Maguindanao (from Malay "Kota Batu") for "stone fort."
Dagupan none from pandaragupan, a Pangasinense word which means "gathering place", due to the city's history as a market town.[15]
Danao Hispanicized form of danawan, a Cebuano word for "small lake."[16]
Dapitan from dapit, Cebuano for "to invite."[17]
Dasmariñas Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas, the seventh Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines.
Davao City none Hispanicized form of dawaw, a Guiangan name for the Davao River.
Digos Hispanicized corruption of padigus, a Lumad word which means "to take a bath" in reference to the Digos River.
Dipolog from dipag, Subanon for "across the river."
Dumaguete from dagit, a Cebuano word which means "to snatch", in reference to the frequent marauding attacks of pirates in the past and the city's power to charm and keep tourists and visitors.
El Salvador Spanish for "The Saviour."[18]
Escalante the Spanish municipality of Escalante.[19]
Gapan from gapang, a Tagalog word which means "crawl."
General Santos none Paulino Santos, Filipino Commanding General of the Philippine Army.
General Trias Mariano Trías, Filipino revolutionary and politician.
Gingoog Hispanicized form of hingoog, a Manobo word which means "good luck."
Guihulngan from guihulugan, Cebuano for "a place where something was dropped."[20]
Himamaylan from hima babaylan, a Hiligaynon phrase which means "foot doctor."
Ilagan none The reverse of the Gaddang word nagali which means "transferred."
Iligan none Higaonon for "fortress".
Iloilo City none Hispanicized corruption of irong-irong, Hiligaynon for "nose-like", referring to the shape of the delta formed by what are now the Iloilo and Salog Rivers.
Imus Old Tagalog word for "a piece of land cutting into the junction of two rivers."
Iriga from i raga, a Bicolano phrase which means "there is land."
Isabela Isabella II, Queen of Spain.
Kabankalan from bangkal, a Philippine Leichhard tree.
Kidapawan from tida pawan, a Manobo phrase which means "highland spring".
Koronadal from koron nadal, a B'laan phrase which means "grass plain."
La Carlota the Spanish municipality of La Carlota.
Lamitan from lami-lamihan, a Yakan word which means "merry-making."[21]
Laoag Ilocano for "light or clarity."
Lapu-Lapu none Lapulapu, the ancient ruler of Mactan.
Las Piñas none Spanish for "The Pineapples"; the city's old name however is "Las Peñas" meaning "The Rocks".[22]
Legazpi Miguel López de Legazpi, the first Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines.
Ligao from ticao, a Bicolano word for a tree with poisonous leaves.
Lipa from lipa, a Philippine linden tree.
Lucena none The Spanish municipality of Lucena.[23]
Maasin Cebuano for "salty."
Mabalacat from balakat, a species of tree endemic to the Philippines.[24]
Makati none from kumakati, Tagalog for "ebbing tide"; shortened and Filipinized form of its original Spanish name "San Pedro de Macati."
Malabonnonefrom tambobong, which denotes a place full of labóng (bamboo shoots)
Malaybalay from a Cebuano phrase which means "house of the Malays".
Malolos from paluslos, a Kapampangan word which means "downstream" in relation to the Calumpit River.
Mandaluyong none from daluyong, Tagalog for "big waves from the sea"; the city's original name was San Felipe Neri.
Mandaue Hispanicized form of mantawi, a Cebuano variety of vine.[25]
Manila none Hispanicized corruption of the Tagalog-Sanskrit phrase may nila which means "there is nila" (indigo tree in Sanskrit) referring to the prevalence of the tree.
Marawi from rawi, a Maranao word which means "reclining" in reference to the lilies that bend northward on the banks of the mouth of the Agus River.
Marikina none Félix Berenguer de Marquina, the Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines.
Masbate Hispanicized corruption of masabat, Bicolano for "to meet along the way", referring to the strategic position of the city within Philippine maritime trade routes.
Mati from maa-ti, a Mandaya word which means to "dry quickly", referring to the Mati Creek which dries up quickly even after a heavy rain.[26]
Meycauayan Hispanicized form of the Tagalog phrase may kawayan meaning "a place full of bamboos."
Muntinlupa none Muntíng lupà, Tagalog for "small land."
Muñoz Francisco Muñoz, Spanish politician and former gobernadorcillo of Nueva Ecija.[27]
Naga Bicolano for narra, a type of rosewood tree.
Naga Cebuano for the narra tree.
Navotas none Hispanicized form of the Tagalog word nabutas which means "breached" or "pierced through" in reference to the formation of the Navotas River.
Olongapo none Hispanicized corruption of olo nin apo, a Zambal phrase which means "head of the elder."
Ormoc none Hispanicized corruption of ogmok, a Cebuano word which means "lowland" or "plain."
Oroquieta the barrio of Oroquieta in the district of Villaverde in Madrid, Spain.
Ozamiz José Ozámiz, a Filipino politician from Mindanao.
Pagadian from padian, an Iranun word for "market."
Palayan Tagalog for "rice field."
Panabo from taboan, a Cebuano word which means "marketplace."
Parañaque none Hispanicized corruption of Palanyag, the old Tagalog name of the Parañaque River.
Pasay none Dayang-dayang Pasay, a Namayan princess. The city's old name was Pineda, after Spanish horticulturist Cornelio Pineda.
Pasig none an archaic Tagalog word referring to the shore. Compare "dalampasigan", "pasigan", or Malay "pasir" ("sand")
Passi from passis, a Kinaray-a word which means "unhusked rice."
Puerto Princesa none a contraction of its original Spanish name Puerto de la Princesa which means "Port of the Princess" named after Princess Eulalia of Spain.[28]
Quezon CityManuel Luis Quezon, the second president of the Philippines.
Roxas Manuel Acuña Roxas, the fifth president of the Philippines.
Sagay from sigay, a Hiligaynon word for "shell."
Samal Sama, an indigenous ethnic group in Mindanao.
San Carlos Saint Charles Borromeo.
San Carlos named after Charles III of Spain, who ordered Spanish forces to raze the town of Binalatongan (its former name) to the ground.
San Fernando Saint Ferdinand, King of Spain.
San Fernando Saint Ferdinand, King of Spain.
San Jose Saint Joseph
San Jose del Monte Saint Joseph of the Mountain.
San Juan none Saint John the Baptist
the city's longer official name is San Juan del Monte, Spanish for "Saint John of the Mountain."
San Pablo Saint Paul the First Hermit.
San Pedro Saint Peter, the Apostle
Santa Rosa Saint Rose of Lima.
Santiago none Saint James the Apostle.
Santo Tomas Saint Thomas Aquinas
Silay from kansilay, a local Philippine tree.
Sipalay Suludnon for "there is rice"[29]
Sorsogon City Hispanicized form of sogsogon, a Bicolano verb meaning "to continuously follow a course, such as a trail or a river."
Surigao Hispanicized corruption of suligan, a Manobo word for "where there is sulig", a species of fish.
Tabaco from tabak ko, Bikol for "my bolo"
Tabuk from tobog, Ilocano for "living stream."[30]
Tacloban none Hispanicized corruption of tarakluban, a Waray-Waray word which means "to catch fish."
Tacurong Hispanicized corruption of talakudong, a Maguindanao word which means a traditional "head covering" or "hat."
Tagaytay Tagalog for "ridge".
Tagbilaran from tagubilaan, a Boholano phrase which means "to hide from the Moros."[31]
Taguig none Hispanicized form of the Tagalog word taga-giik meaning "rice thresher."
Tagum from magugpo, a Mandaya word which means "tall tree."
Talisay from talisay, a Visayan variety of Indian almond tree.
Talisay from talisay, a Visayan variety of Indian almond tree.
Tanauan Hispanicized form of the Tagalog word tanawan which means "vista" or "view."
Tandag from tangad, Cebuano for lemongrass.
Tangub from tangkob, a Subanon word which means "rice basket."[32]
Tanjay Hispanicized corruption of taytay, a Cebuano word which means "bamboo bridge."[33]
Tarlac CityHispanicized rendering of tarlak, Aeta term for a certain grass related to talahib (cogon) and tanglar (Zambal for lemongrass).
Tayabas from bayabas, a Tagalog word for the "guava" fruit.[34]
Toledo the Spanish city of Toledo.
Trece Martires Spanish for "thirteen martyrs." The city was named in honor of the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite.
Tuguegarao Hispanicized form of the Ibanag phrase tuggui gari yaw meaning "this used to be fire."
Urdaneta Andrés de Urdaneta, Spanish friar, circumnavigator and explorer.
Valencia Named by the first local Barrio school teacher in the village, who hailed from Valencia, Bohol.
Valenzuela none Pío Valenzuela, a Filipino patriot.
Victorias from Nuestra Señora de las Victorias, Spanish for "Our Lady of Victories".
Vigan Hispanicization of bî-gán (美岸), Hokkien for "beautiful shore".
Zamboanga City none Hispanicized form of samboangan, Sinama for "anchorage", or literally, "place of mooring poles", referring to the settlement and port town at the southern tip of Mindanao's western peninsula.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History Background of Bacoor . bacoor.gov.ph . May 15, 2019.
  2. Web site: Brief Historical Background . batac.gov.ph . May 15, 2019.
  3. http://www.bayawancity.gov.ph/tourism.php?code=CULTURE Cultural Heritage
  4. Web site: Baybay: beach, heritage and adventure . . January 29, 2015 . March 12, 2020.
  5. Web site: City of Bayugan . Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur . March 12, 2020.
  6. Web site: City Profile . City Government of Bogo . March 12, 2020.
  7. Web site: Borongan . Provincial Government of Eastern Samar . March 12, 2020.
  8. Web site: History . Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte . March 12, 2020.
  9. http://www.cabanatuancity.gov.ph/#!vstc0=about-us Our History
  10. http://www.cadizcity.gov.ph/BriefHistory.html Brief History
  11. http://www.cityofcalapan.gov.ph/index.php/component/content/article/1-calapan/89-general-information General Information
  12. http://www.calbayog.gov.ph/ Calbayog
  13. Web site: Carcar Heritage City . . May 2, 2016 . March 12, 2020.
  14. Web site: Local Heritage . City Government of Catbalogan . March 12, 2020.
  15. http://www.dagupan.com/city/history1.htm History Part I – Spanish Rule
  16. http://www.ngkhai.com/pointcebu/facts/danao.htm Danao City Brief History
  17. http://dapitan.com/?page_id=6 Dapitan History
  18. Web site: History of El Salvador . City Government of El Salvador . March 12, 2020.
  19. http://negros-occ.gov.ph/about-negros-occidental/cities-and-municipalities/cities/escalante-city/ Escalante City History
  20. Web site: City Government . City Government of Guihulngan . March 12, 2020.
  21. Web site: Lamitan comes out of the shadows . . June 24, 2012 . March 12, 2020.
  22. http://www.laspinascity.com/laspinascity_006.htm History
  23. http://www.quezon.gov.ph/about/lucena.html About Lucena
  24. Web site: Municipality of Mabalacat . Provincial Government of Pampanga . March 12, 2020.
  25. http://www.mandauecity.gov.ph/aboutus/history.htm History of Mandaue City
  26. Web site: The Town History of Mati . City Government of Mati . March 12, 2020.
  27. http://www.sciencecityofmunoz.ph/About.html All About Science City of Muñoz
  28. Web site: History of Puerto Princesa . Puerto Princesa Resorts . https://web.archive.org/web/20090721063558/http://www.puertoprincesaphilippines.com/history.php . July 21, 2009 . dead. May 1, 2012.
  29. http://www.sipalaycity.gov.ph/history.htm About City of Sipalay
  30. Web site: Remote, fledgling city marshals resources to build hotel industry . . Espiritu, E.V. . January 4, 2015 . March 12, 2020.
  31. http://www.tagbilaran.gov.ph/info/ Tagbilaran City General Info
  32. http://www.tangub.com/CityofTangubHistory.htm City of Tangub History
  33. https://www.angelfire.com/mo3/tanjay0/thr.html Tanjay History Retraced
  34. http://www.explorequezon.com/tayabas.php Tayabas Brief History