List of U.S. Cities Named After People

Jan 20, 2026, 06:56 EDT

Check out the fascinating history behind U.S. cities named after influential people, including presidents, explorers, and historical figures like George Washington and Christopher Columbus.

U.S. Cities Named After People
U.S. Cities Named After People

U.S. Cities Named After People: The names of cities often carry stories from the past, reflecting history, culture, and the individuals who played an important role in shaping a nation. 

In the United States, many cities are named after real people who influenced politics, exploration, settlement, or local development. These names serve as lasting reminders of presidents, military leaders, explorers, landowners, and early settlers whose actions left a mark on American history. 

In some cases, cities were named to honor national heroes, while in others, they recognized local figures who donated land or helped establish early communities.

So, in this article, we will be learning about these cities and the people behind them.

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U.S. Cities Named After People

City (State/District)

Person Named After

Washington, D.C.

George Washington

Columbus, Ohio

Christopher Columbus

Jacksonville, Florida

Andrew Jackson

San Francisco, California

Saint Francis of Assisi

Louisville, Kentucky

King Louis XVI of France

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

William Pitt the Elder

Baltimore, Maryland

Cecil Calvert (Lord Baltimore)

Lincoln, Nebraska

President Abraham Lincoln

Madison, Wisconsin

James Madison

Houston, Texas

Sam Houston

Cleveland, Ohio

General Moses Cleaveland

Raleigh, North Carolina

Sir Walter Raleigh

St. Louis, Missouri

King Louis IX of France

Note: The table has been compiled from multiple official state websites. 

  1. Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., is named after George Washington, the first president of the United States and a key leader of the American Revolutionary War.

  1. Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is named after Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer whose voyages helped connect Europe and the Americas.

  1. Jacksonville, Florida

Named in honor of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, and a military general.

  1. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is named after Saint Francis of Assisi, a Catholic saint known for his humility and love for nature.

  1. Louisville, Kentucky

Named after King Louis XVI of France, to thank France for its support during the American Revolutionary War.

Recommended Reading:

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Sneha Singh
Sneha Singh

Content Writer

    Sneha Singh is a US News Content Writer at Jagran Josh, covering major developments in international policies and global affairs. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Lucknow Campus. With over six months of experience as a Sub Editor at News24 Digital, Sneha brings sharp news judgment, SEO expertise and a passion for impactful storytelling.

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