Peruvian region name etymologies

This article provides a collection of the etymologies of the names of the regions of Peru.

State name Language of origin Source word Meaning and Notes
Amazonas Spanish Amazonas Named after the Amazon River. This name was given by Francisco de Orellana originally to Marañón River, after dealing with a local ethnic group in which men and women alike were defending themselves. The name given is merely historical, because the river does not cross the territory of this region.
Ancash Quechua anqash "Blue". The name comes from the Ancash Quechuan word "anqash" which means 'blue'. It was the name of a stream tributary of the Santa River (Ancachs River) on whose banks was fought the Battle of Yungay on 28 February 1839. The name of this region, formerly the Huaylas Department was changed by the temporary President Agustín Gamarra by Supreme Decree in commemoration of the victory in these battle. In 1940 "Ancachs" was finally changed to "Ancash".
Apurímac Quechua apu rimaq Named after the Apurímac River. Apu rimaq in Quechua means 'one who speaks with the gods' or 'oracle greater'. It is a region run by mountain ranges.
Arequipa Quechua Ari, qhipay The region takes its name from its capital city, Arequipa. The city's name comes from the Quechua phrase "Ari, qhipay" which means "yes, stay" which is said to have been the response of the fourth Sapa Inca — Mayta Cápac — upon seeing the site of the great city, which was later destroyed in an earthquake but reestablished by the Spanish in 1540.
Ayacucho Quechua aya k'uchu "Corner of the dead". The Wari culture developed in Huanta Province, until they were assimilated by the expansion of the Incas. Viracocha conquered the region, finding a stubborn opposition by Pocras who were slain in a corner of Parcos, so after it was called toponymic Ayawarkuna, which means "place where dead hang". Such was the carnage that caused the fighting between the Incas and the natives that these events resulted in the Quechua name Ayak'uchu, which literally means "corner of the Dead". On 15 February 1825, by Order of the Liberator Simón Bolívar, original names (Huamanga and Department of Huamanga) were replaced by the name of Ayacucho, in recognition of the victors of the Battle of Ayacucho."
Cajamarca Quechua kasha marka The region takes its name from its capital city, Cajamarca. The city name was registered by the early chroniclers as Caxamarca, in Quechua, kasha marka or "town (marka) of thorns (kasha)" in reference to the abundance of the San Pedro cacti (Echinopsis pachanoi) in the valley where it is located the city.
Callao Spanish callao In Spanish, callao means pebble or river cobble, which means the same as the French word "caillou" and the Portuguese word "calhao". One of the qualities of Callao are its clean and rocky beaches.
Cusco Quechua via Aymara qusqu wanka "Rock of the owl". The region takes its name from its capital city, Cusco. It is believed that the Quechua name 'Qusqu' with which it was found at the time of the conquest of the Inca Empire, has Aymara origin, and derives from the phrase qusqu wanka ("rock of the owl") from the legend of Ayar Brothers, where Ayar Auca flying with his own wings, occupies the site where it was Cusco, then settles on a rock in the area and he turns to stone, becoming a symbol of the occupation.
Huancavelica Quechua wanka willka The region takes its name from its capital city, Huancavelica. In the pre-Incan era, Huancavelica was known as the wanka willka region or "the place where the grandsons of the Wankas live".

References

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