name
Common
Geneva
juh-NEE-vuh
Geneva (name) means the city in Switzerland that serves as the capital of Geneva canton and hosts many international organisations.
name
1
The city in Switzerland that serves as the capital of Geneva canton and hosts many international organisations.
2
A Swiss canton, and the large lake on its border, Lake Geneva.
3
A female first name taken from the city, sometimes confused with Genevieve.
How to use Geneva
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBest known as the Swiss city famous for diplomacy and the Geneva Conventions; also used as a woman's first name.
Common pairings
Lake Geneva
Geneva Convention
the city of Geneva
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Word forms
- Plural
- genevas
Etymology
Recorded in Latin as Genava; likely from a very old root referring to a bend or mouth of a river, related to the source of the name Genoa.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Geneva
See all rhymes for Geneva →Frequently asked questions
What does “Geneva” mean?
The word “Geneva” means the city in Switzerland that serves as the capital of Geneva canton and hosts many international organisations. In plain terms, best known as the Swiss city famous for diplomacy and the Geneva Conventions; also used as a woman's first name.
How do you pronounce “Geneva”?
“Geneva” is pronounced juh-NEE-vuh (/d͡ʒəˈniːvə/ in IPA).
What part of speech is “Geneva”?
“Geneva” is a name.
Where does the word “Geneva” come from?
The word “Geneva” comes from Latin. Recorded in Latin as Genava; likely from a very old root referring to a bend or mouth of a river, related to the source of the name Genoa.
Is “Geneva” a common word?
“Geneva” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Geneva” have?
“Geneva” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the city in Switzerland that serves as the capital of Geneva canton and hosts many international organisations.
What is the difference between Geneva and Lake Geneva?
Geneva is a city in Switzerland, the capital of the canton of the same name, while Lake Geneva is the large lake on whose shore the city sits. In French the lake is called Lac Léman, so travel sources may use either name for the same body of water.
Is Geneva the capital of Switzerland?
No. Switzerland's seat of federal government is Bern; Geneva is the capital only of the canton of Geneva. The confusion arises because Geneva hosts many international organisations, giving it a global profile larger than its political role at home.
Why is Geneva known for diplomacy and international organisations?
Geneva hosts many international organisations and diplomatic meetings, which is why major agreements such as the Geneva Conventions carry the city's name. That concentration of institutions has made this relatively small Swiss city one of the world's main centres of diplomacy.
Is Geneva used as a first name?
Yes. Geneva is a female first name taken from the Swiss city, and it is sometimes confused with Genevieve, which is a separate name. Despite the similar look and sound, the two names are distinct.
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