Who Named Washington, D.C.? President George Washington in 1790

The name "Washington, D.C." was chosen by President George Washington himself in 1790.

Breakdown

• Washington: Honors the first U.S. president (unanimous choice by Congress).
• D.C. (District of Columbia): "Columbia" was a poetic personification of America (from Columbus); the federal district was named Territory of Columbia, later District of Columbia.

Process

1. Residence Act (1790) authorized capital on Potomac.
2. Washington selected exact site (10-mile square, ceded by MD/VA).
3. Commissioners named the city "Washington" and district "Columbia" per his direction.
4. Federal government moved from Philadelphia in 1800.

Washington never lived in the White House (John Adams first), but his vision shaped the capital.