Why New York City Is Named After York, England

New York City owes its name to a 17th-century English nobleman: James, Duke of York and Albany (later King James II of England).

The Sequence

1. 1624: Dutch establish New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island (capital of New Netherland).
2. 1664: English fleet arrives; Dutch surrender without a fight.
3. 1664: King Charles II grants the territory to his brother, James, Duke of York.
4. 1665: New Amsterdam renamed New York in the Duke's honor. Fort Amsterdam → Fort James.
5. 1673–74: Brief Dutch reoccupation (New Orange), then permanent English control (Treaty of Westminster).
6. 1685: Duke of York becomes King James II. The colony becomes a royal province.

Why "York"?

The title "Duke of York" is traditionally given to the British monarch's second son. The city of York in northern England (Roman Eboracum, Viking Jorvik) was the seat of the dukedom's territorial association.

Albany, Too

James was also Duke of Albany (Scottish title). Albany, New York (state capital) and Albany, Georgia are named for him.

So, NYC = "New" + "York" (Duke's title) = a colonial compliment that stuck for 360 years.