What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. That’s what Shakespeare thinks, but what does he know? He’s been dead for ages and never even used the Internet.
By design, girls’ names evoke femininity and imbue their bearers with grace and warmth. This is not only true for people, but places too as we shall see below.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Bulgaria probably has the most beautifully-named capital in the world. This jewel of the Balkans conjures up images of old world glamour and sophistication.
Its mix of Ottoman and Christian influences, with old fortress walls and bathhouses, gives the city a worldly outlook, an elegance encapsulated by the name.
Florence, Italy
One of the most famous areas in Italy and a key place during the Renaissance, Florence has a dainty yet refined name that reflects its ladylike poise.
The city’s unparalleled artistic and architectural heritage has ensured its recognition as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, while renowned inhabitants such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Galileo have been amongst the most influential. A real dame.
La Rochelle, France
Rochelle, Rochelle… This port city is the bane of French students everywhere due to its unexplained yet ubiquitous presence in every French language textbook.
Despite this, the picturesque La Rochelle is genuinely a treat, its grand harbour key to important empires throughout history such as the Plantagenet and Huguenot due to its key Atlantic position on the west side of France.
Dolores, Argentina
The town of Delores sits amongst a romantic countryside setting a couple of hours outside Buenos Aires. It is a scene filled with horseback riding, barbecues on vast verandas, and hazy summers. Although the name Delores can sometimes conjure up connotations of pain in some languages, there is little of it to be seen in this enchanting part of Argentina.
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Although Kandy sounds like the name of a character in a Disney tween sitcom, it is in fact the second-largest city in Sri Lanka.
Kandy’s position in the hills amongst vast plantations made it a key point of influence and trade. For 400 years, it was the centre of the Kingdom of Kandy – sounds pretty sweet.
Kimberley, South Africa
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, according to Marilyn Monroe, and if that’s the case then that girl’s name must be Kimberley.
The South African city was one of the most significant places during the diamond mining rush and is where the megalithic DeBeers diamond company was founded.
Victoria, everywhere
There are many places named Victoria throughout the world due to the influence of Queen Victoria during the height of the British Empire, so in a way they are all imbued with monarchical girl power.
Amongst the most royal-like are the Australian state of Victoria (the home of the country’s cultural capital Melbourne), Victoria Falls and Lake Victoria in Zambia and Zimbabwe (some of the most impressive water features in the world), and the prestigious Victoria Harbour area of Hong Kong.
(Featured image: Orin Zebest)
