---
title: "How did we get the name India?"  
description: "How did we get the name India?"  
author: "Tarun Gautam"  
published: 2018-01-19  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/33315/how-did-we-get-the-name-india  
category: "history, politics & society"  
tags: ["history", "get the name india"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# How did we get the name India?

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

## Answers

### Answer by Stuti Gupta

Since Herodotus, the word **'[India](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_for_India)'** has been taken from the term of the **river Sindhu (Indus River)** which has been used in Greek (5th century BCE). The phrase first occurred in **Old English in the ninth century**, and it reappeared in **Standard English in the seventeenth century**. \
**Also Read: [How did the constitution of India come into force?](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/32929/how-did-the-constitution-of-india-come-into-force)** \
In both formal and common usage, the Republic of India is known in two short terms, **'India' and 'Bharata,'** both of which have a **rich history**. The Indian Constitution's first provision declares that 'India, that is Bharat, should be a unity of kingdoms,' implying that 'India' and 'Bharata' (Hindi, written: Bharata) are both recognized short terms for India. When Indians communicate among themselves, a distinct appellation, **'Hindustan,'** is frequently used as an alternate term for the country including most of the contemporary States of the country of the subcontinent. **The use of 'Bharata,' 'Hindustan,' or 'India' is dependent on the situation's environment and tongue.** \
**Also Read: [Who ruled India before British?](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/32981/who-ruled-india-before-british)** \
The word 'Bharat,' which is used to refer to India in different [Indian languages](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/45321/which-are-the-major-dialects-of-punjabi-language), is claimed to be originated from either **Dushyanta's or Rishabha's son Bharata.** The word Bharat was originally used solely to the western section of the **Gangetic Valley in North India,** but it was eventually expanded to include the Indian subcontinent and the Greater India region, as did the name 'India.' It now refers to the modern **Republic of India**, which is located there.


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