---
title: "Who coined the name India?"  
description: "Who coined the name India?"  
author: "Aayush Srivastava"  
published: 2018-01-14  
updated: 2023-09-21  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/32975/who-coined-the-name-india  
category: "history, politics & society"  
tags: ["history", "india", "history of india"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Who coined the name India?

Who coined the [name](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/88165/is-india-losing-its-spiritual-identity-in-the-name-of-modernization) India?

## Answers

### Answer by Saumya Mishra

**The name "India" is thought to have originated from the Indus River, which is known as the Sindhu in Sanskrit.** The Persians, who invaded [India](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/100519/why-bharat-is-called-india) in the 6th century BCE, called the river the Hindu. The Greeks, who followed the Persians, also called the river the [Hindu](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/94039/who-is-considered-as-the-founding-father-of-the-indian-space-programme). Over time, the name "Hindu" came to refer to the land east of the Indus River, and this is where the name "India" comes from.

- The name "India" was first used by the Greeks in the 5th century BCE. The Greek historian Herodotus was the first to use the name "India" in his writings. He wrote about the Indus River and the people who lived along its banks.
- The name "India" was also used by the Romans. The Roman poet Virgil used the name "India" in his poem "The Aeneid." He wrote about the riches of India and its exotic animals.


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