Origin of the name Washington D.C.?

The name "Washington, D.C.", honors the first president of the United States, George Washington, and the District of Columbia, which is the federal district created to serve as the capital of the United States.

The District of Columbia was created in 1790 by the Residence Act, which authorized President George Washington to select a site on the Potomac River for a new permanent capital. The act specified that the capital would be named "Washington, in honor of the great and good man who is the object of our affection and the founder of our liberties".

The District of Columbia is not a state, but rather a federal district under the direct authority of the U.S. Congress. It is also the only U.S. jurisdiction whose name includes the designation "D.C.", which distinguishes it from the state of Washington.