How Cincinnati Ohio Got Its Name

Cincinnati, Ohio, is a creative, economic, and cultural Midwestern hub nestled along the Ohio River. Its name has a storied history, with Roman military roots and connections to the Revolutionary War and the founding of the United States. Delve into the history of Cincinnati’s name, and learn how the “Queen City of the West” acquired its moniker.
Israel Ludlow, Robert Patterson, and Matthias Denman purchased the 800 acres that comprised Cincinnati’s humble beginnings in 1788. The land was located along the Ohio River and across from the mouth of the Licking River, which inspired the town’s original name: Losantiville. With Anglo-Saxon, Greek, and Latin origins, the town’s name literally meant “The Town Opposite the Mouth of the Licking.” The settlement kept this name for its first two years of existence.

Losantiville grew over the subsequent years as more settlers arrived. In 1790, the town was named the county seat of Hamilton County by Arthur St. Clair, the Northwestern Territory governor. St. Clair renamed Losantiville, bestowing upon the growing settlement the name of Cincinnati.

Cincinnati got its name from the 5th-century BC Roman soldier and hero, Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus. After leading the republic’s army to victory over invaders, he denied rewards, returning to a farm where he lived out the remainder of his days instead. For many people, and especially Revolutionary War-era Patriots, Cincinnatus embodied self-sacrifice, patriotic loyalty, integrity, and civic virtue. In particular, his history represented for new Americans the promise of democracy and the possibility of overcoming tyranny.

In 1790, Governor St. Clair was the President of the State Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania, explaining his deep connection to the name and its origins. Many members of the Society had settled throughout the territory he governed, making Cincinnati a particularly suitable name for the growing region.

Cincinnati was subsequently incorporated as a town in 1802 and officially recognized as a city in 1819. It would eventually become, for a time, the most densely populated city in the United States and a major center of industry and commerce.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.