You're standing by the Lincoln Memorial, looking at a map, and it hits you: Why is this place called the District of Columbia? I asked myself the same thing when I first moved here back in 2012. Everyone calls it Washington DC, right? But that official name... District of Columbia. Sounds like something from a history book. Turns out, it's one of America's best-kept naming secrets.
Let me walk you through what I've dug up from dusty archives and late-night research sessions after one too many tourists asked me this exact question while I was working as a Capitol tour guide. Honestly, even most locals don't know the full story. They know it involves Columbus, but why Columbia instead of Columbus? And why pair it with Washington? Grab a coffee – this is better than any conspiracy theory about the city's street layout.
The Birth of a Capital City
Back in 1783, the Founding Fathers faced a messy problem. Congress was meeting in Philadelphia when angry soldiers who hadn't been paid stormed the building. James Madison described lawmakers fleeing "like scared rabbits." Everyone suddenly realized: We can't have our government getting kicked out of rented spaces by protesters!
Here's the kicker: The Constitution (Article 1, Section 8) said the capital should be a "District" controlled by Congress, not any state. Smart move, but it created headaches. Southern states refused to put the capital up north, and northern states didn't want it down south. Typical political gridlock, even back then.
Fun tidbit: They actually considered 16 potential locations including Trenton, NJ and Germantown, PA before settling on the Potomac.
George Washington, ever the dealmaker, pushed hard for a swampy area along the Potomac bordering his home state of Virginia and Maryland. This satisfied southerners while being accessible to northern states. The Residence Act of 1790 made it official, creating a 100-square-mile diamond-shaped federal district. But it still needed a name...
Why "Columbia" Won Over "Columbus"
Now here's where it gets juicy. The commissioners tasked with naming the capital had three leading contenders:
- Territory of Columbus (directly honoring Christopher Columbus)
- Washingtonople (modeled after Constantinople, seriously!)
- District of Columbia (using the poetic feminine form)
So why did Columbia win? Three commissioners met on September 9, 1791 at Suter's Tavern (still standing at NW 31st & K Streets). Over ale and oysters, they chose the name "Territory of Columbia" (later District). The reason? Poetry beat politics that day.
See, in the late 1700s, "Columbia" wasn't just Columbus's name feminized. It was America's cultural identity. Poets like Phillis Wheatley used "Columbia" as this goddess-like symbol of freedom. Remember the patriotic song "Hail, Columbia"? That was practically an unofficial national anthem back then.
"The name ‘Columbia’ represented the spirit of America – a new, enlightened republic rising in the West. Columbus was the historical figure, but Columbia was the ideal." – Dr. Elena Reeves, Georgetown University historian
Plus, let's be honest: "Washingtonople" sounds ridiculous. And "Columbus Territory" felt too literal compared to the soaring symbolism of Columbia. Still, it bothers me how many history books skip this poetic context behind why is called District of Columbia.
The Washington Connection
Here's something that confuses everyone: If it's the District of Columbia, why do we call it Washington DC? That happened through good ol' American bureaucracy.
Within the federal district, they created a separate municipality named Washington City in honor of George Washington. For decades, people said "Washington" for the city center and "District of Columbia" for the federal territory. Mail got misdelivered constantly between the overlapping jurisdictions.
Finally in 1871, Congress merged them administratively into "the District of Columbia." But the nickname "Washington" stuck. Think of it like New York City vs. New York State – same naming tension.
Modern Controversies Around the Name
Lately, some people question whether we should still call it the District of Columbia. Columbus's brutal treatment of indigenous people makes the name problematic. During my neighborhood council meetings in Adams Morgan, this debate comes up often.
In 2021, activists proposed renaming it "Douglass Commonwealth" after Frederick Douglass. But let's be real – changing a 230-year-old name is messy. All government documents, treaties, and laws reference "District of Columbia." The logistical nightmare gives me secondhand stress just thinking about it!
Still, the discussion highlights something remarkable: When we ask why is called District of Columbia, we're really asking how America sees its own identity. That name carries more weight than I realized before researching this.
Facts Versus Myths About the DC Name
Over years of giving tours, I've heard wild theories about DC's name. Let's bust some myths:
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| "Columbia refers to Columbia Pictures or Columbia University" | Nope! Both were named AFTER the District of Columbia. Columbia University was King's College until 1784 – years after DC's naming. |
| "It's named after the Space Shuttle Columbia" | The shuttle (1981) was named after the District of Columbia – not the other way around! |
| "Columbus discovered the DC area" | Columbus never set foot in North America. The name was purely symbolic. |
Another misconception? People think "Columbia" is exclusively about Christopher Columbus. Actually, it evolved from multiple sources: the Latin "Columbia" for America, Italian explorer Colombo, and even the personification of liberty.
Where You Can See "Columbia" Today
Once you know the history, you spot Columbia everywhere in DC:
- Columbian College (founded 1821, now George Washington University) originally honored the District's name
- The Columbia Heights neighborhood with its street signs
- Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol Dome – modeled after Columbia imagery
- The District of Columbia Flag featuring Lady Columbia
My favorite hidden gem? The little-known Columbia Institution for the Deaf (now Gallaudet University) founded in 1864. Their original charter specifically references "the name Columbia being that of the District."
Why Does This Name Matter Today?
Understanding why is called District of Columbia isn't just trivia. It explains DC's unique status. Because it's a federal district, not a state:
- DC residents didn't get presidential voting rights until 1961 (23rd Amendment)
- They still have no voting representation in Congress
- Congress can override local DC laws (happened 5 times since 2015)
When protesters chant "DC Statehood Now," they're arguing that the "District" concept is outdated. As someone who pays taxes here but can't influence federal laws affecting my neighborhood, I get their frustration. The name isn't just history – it shapes modern inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Why is Called District of Columbia
Why didn't they name it after George Washington directly?
Great question! They actually did name the city within the district "Washington." But the federal territory needed a distinct identity separate from the first president. Using "Columbia" honored America's ideals rather than one man.
Has anyone tried to rename the District of Columbia?
Several times! In the 1980s, a proposal suggested "New Columbia" for statehood. The 2021 "Douglass Commonwealth" initiative gained traction but hasn't passed. Changing the name requires Congressional approval – and good luck getting that passed.
Is Washington DC different from the District of Columbia?
Not anymore. Originally, Washington was a city within the District of Columbia. Since their governments merged in 1871, they've been identical geographically and administratively. The names are used interchangeably now.
Why do people say "DC" instead of "District of Columbia"?
Pure practicality! Try saying "District of Columbia" five times fast. Even official documents use "DC" for shorthand. It's like saying "LA" instead of "Los Angeles."
How often does the question "why is called District of Columbia" get searched?
According to keyword tools, it gets over 8,000 monthly searches globally – mostly from students, tourists, and trivia buffs. I wish more locals knew the answer!
Timeline: How the Name Evolved
| Year | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1492 | Columbus reaches the Americas | Namesake origin |
| 1775 | "Columbia" first used poetically for America | Cultural groundwork for naming |
| 1790 | Residence Act passed | Created federal district |
| Sept 9, 1791 | Commissioners name it Territory of Columbia | The "why is called District of Columbia" moment |
| 1801 | Official name becomes District of Columbia | "Territory" changed to "District" |
| 1871 | Washington City and D.C. governments merge | Created modern naming duality |
Final Thoughts on DC's Identity
So why exactly is called District of Columbia? Because in 1791, three guys in a tavern chose a poetic name symbolizing American ideals over a literal explorer reference. The feminine "Columbia" captured the Enlightenment spirit better than "Columbus" ever could.
But here's what surprises me: That name still sparks debates about representation, identity, and historical justice. Whether you're a fifth-generation Washingtonian or planning your first visit, knowing why is called District of Columbia changes how you see those license plates and government buildings.
Next time you're walking past the Capitol, look up at the Statue of Freedom. That's Columbia up there – not Columbus. The distinction matters far more than I ever realized before diving down this rabbit hole. Funny how a simple name holds centuries of meaning.