List of Nepal placename etymologies
Many places in Nepal have been given name based on mythology and other references. These original names eventually turned to give the present names. However, there prevail more than one saying on picking the origin of the names.
Different places have picked names from different languages. The preference of language depends upon the native language of the place / region. Looking towards the ancient history of Nepal, Sanskrit has been the most important sources for deriving words in Nepali Language. However Urdu, Pharasi, Hindi, English-language words are being imported too.
Places and their origin of name
| Place | District | Origin of name | Original language | Description | Historical references |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulchowk (पुलचोक) | Lalitpur | पुच: (Pucha) | Nepal Bhasa | means Park in Nepal Bhasa | |
| Baneshwor (बानेश्वर) | Kathmandu | बामन+ईश्वर | Sanskrit | Dwarf God | |
| Chabahil (चाबाहिल) | Kathmandu | चारू बहीः | Nepal Bhasa | Home of Charumati | |
| Koteshwor (कोटेश्वर) | Kathmandu | कोटी ईश्वर | Sanskrit | One Crore (10 million) Gods | |
| Jamal (जमल) | Kathmandu | Jame Masjeed | Urdu | Jame Masjeed centrally located at Jamal gives the name of the place | |
| Telkuwa (तेलकुवा) | Bara | तेली+कुवा | Bhojpuri | Chanchal Prasad Sah from Teli (तेली) Caste had dug a well to make water available in the village and hence the name begun to attribute Chanchal Prasad and his caste | |
| Mustang Chowk (मुस्ताङ्ग चोक), Pokhara | Kaski | मुस्ताङ्ग+चोक | Nepali | Years ago, People from Mustang used to come and sell things there hence the name begun | |
| Davi’s Fall, Pokhara | Kaski | English | Swiss tourist named Davis had a sad incident in the fall which led to her death in the vary place hence the name got stuck with the locals. |