Did You Know These African Countries Were Named After Dead People

Throughout Africa, lots of countries have names that carry the legacy of individuals who have passed on. They are named after their landscapes or values, others carry the names of influential figures. 

In Africa, a few nations stand out as they are named in memory of individuals whether leaders, saints, or colonial figures who have long since passed away. These names have endured as powerful symbols, keeping alive the memory of these individuals through centuries of change.

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is named after King Mswati II, a remarkable ruler from the 19th century. King Mswati II ruled from 1840 to 1868 and is remembered for his impressive leadership and military strength. 

Under his reign, Eswatini expanded significantly, doubling its territory and becoming a powerful kingdom in the region.

King Mswati II’s legacy is so impactful that the country chose to honor his name as a lasting tribute, renaming itself Eswatini, meaning “Land of the Swazis,” to reflect both his influence and Swazi culture.

Mauritius

Mauritius owes its name to Prince Maurice of Nassau, a 16th-century Dutch governor of Holland. In 1598, when a Dutch fleet led by Admiral Wybrand van Warwyck arrived at the island, they named it “Mauritius” after Prince Maurice, who was widely respected for his role in Dutch governance and leadership.

The name has endured through colonial changes and independence, and today Mauritius proudly carries Prince Maurice’s name as part of its unique identity and heritage.

Mozambique

The name “Mozambique” traces back to Mussa Bin Bique, also known as Mussa Ibn Malik or Mussa Al Big, an influential Arab trader who frequented the island near present-day Mozambique. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese explorers adopted the name, initially for the island and later for the entire territory.

Mussa Bin Bique’s name endures in Mozambique, preserving a legacy that acknowledges the early Arab influence in the region and the cultural interactions that shaped its identity.

Seychelles

Seychelles, a beautiful archipelago in the Indian Ocean, was named in honor of Viscount Jean Moreau de Séchelles, the finance minister under France’s King Louis XV. Initially, the French named the main island Mahé after the island’s administrator, Mahé de La Bourdonnais, a colonial figure influential in the Indian Ocean. 

Later, the entire group of islands was named “Isle de Séchelles” in tribute to the finance minister, anglicized to “Seychelles.”

While Mahé remains the name of the largest island, the country as a whole continues to honor Viscount Séchelles, marking a unique colonial legacy in its name.

São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe, two islands off the west coast of Central Africa, were named by the Portuguese after important figures in their culture. São Tomé means “Saint Thomas,” named because Portuguese explorers arrived on the island on Saint Thomas’s feast day. 

Príncipe, meaning “Prince,” was named in honor of Prince Afonso of Portugal, a favorite of the Portuguese king at the time.