Name of Australia
Austrialia became Australia over time | |
| Pronunciation | /əˈstreɪliə/ |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Origin | |
| Languages |
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| Word/name | Australis |
| Meaning | Southern |
| Other names | |
| Variant forms |
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| Nicknames |
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| Cognate | Austria |
The name Australia (pronounced /əˈstreɪliə/ in Australian English) is derived from the Latin australis, meaning 'southern', and specifically from the hypothetical Terra Australis postulated in pre-modern geography. The name was popularised by the explorer Matthew Flinders from 1804, and it has been in official use since 1817, replacing New Holland, an English translation of the Dutch name, first given by Abel Tasman in 1643 as the name for the continent.