Submitted Place Name Revision History

Meaning uncertain. Traditional etymologies state that the city's name is derived from Bucur, the name of a prince, outlaw, fisherman, shepherd, or hunter (depending on the specific legend), whose name is derived from Romanian bucurie meaning "joy, happiness", probably of Dacian origin. Another theory states that its name is from Abu-Kariș, which is from the tribe name Bani-Kureiș. It could also be from bucurie "joy", bucuros "joyful", or a se bucura "to become joyful" or from the name of Bukovie, a beech forest. Bucharest is Romania's capital and largest city.