One of the most beautiful and largest cities in Canada is famous not only for its diverse culture and architecture but also for its rich history. Looking at the name of the city in the form of an art object, which is located on the central square, many tourists are interested in its origin. How did the name Toronto emerge? Who did choose it and why? Learn more at itoronto.
The first historical records of the name
The name “Toronto” has its own unique history, which makes the city stand out among all others. According to historians, it was mentioned in archival documents of the 17th century. In 1675, the word “Toronto” was used to name the water channel between Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching. It was written in French and English with different endings: Tarento, Tarontha, Taronto, etc.
This name was invented by the Huron Indian tribes that lived on that territory even before the Europeans settled there. It means “where there are trees in the water”. In the 17th century, there were many uninhabited areas washed by the Ontario River. Thus, the name appeared because there was always a lot of water around. Now, the area where the Hurons used to live is home to a marina and historic sites that are often visited by tourists.
In 1686, French explorers created a map according to which the local canoe route was named the Passage de Toronto. The spelling of that name was changed in 1695. The Italians, who also came here to settle new territories, named the route Toronto. By 1750, the first city fort was built, which also received that name.
When and why was the city of York renamed Toronto?
In 1793, that area became a British colony in North America. A British army officer and the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada named it York after the Duke of York, who led the British army to victory in many battles. On August 27, 1793, a new Canadian city was officially registered under the name of York. The first buildings, roads, bridges and military fortifications began to be built and trade started to gradually develop there. However, the British were forced to leave those lands after the War of 1812.
The city was looted and destroyed by the Americans in 1813. During the next several years, the Americans partially restored it. In 1834, the local legislative council wanted to keep the city’s first name “York”. However, after some negotiations, it was decided to change it. Since the lands of Upper Canada were no longer the British colony and there was a significant increase in population, the city authorities decided to officially rename it.
Registration of the name “Toronto”
They wanted the new name of the city to be associated with the history of its emergence and further development. In the process of analysing archival documents, it was found that the first local settlers often used the word “Toronto”. Unlike York, which was similar to New York, it was original and distinctive at that time. Historians found it on many maps of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Toronto was named after a canoe route, a fort and the first road in Ontario. Its meaning perfectly corresponded to the characteristic features of the city. Thus, the legislative council renamed York to Toronto, the only city in the world with such a name.
An act on registration of the new city name “Toronto” was concluded on March 1, 1834. After that, it began to be used in all legislative and administrative documents. In the 21st century, an art object in the form of the city’s name was installed on the central square. It became a city’s symbol and decoration. Since then, tourists and local residents take pictures in front of it and visit various recreation spots nearby.