indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Meaning & History
Meaning literally "island of France". Its ultimate etymology is unclear; the "island" may refer to the land between the rivers Oise, Marne and Seine, or it may have been a reference to the Île de la Cité, where the French royal palace and cathedral were located. Alternatively, the name may refer to lands that were under the direct rule of the Capetian kings during the Middle Ages; these lands were an "island" in a sea of feudal territories ruled by vassals of the king.Île-de-France is a region in northern France, centred on the capital city, Paris.