A borough of worlds desire, Manhattan indeed has many neighborhoods. With more than 1.6 million people, Manhattan is for a reason divided into so many little areas called neighborhoods. Here, we are going to explore why and how some famous Manhattan neighborhoods got their iconic names. Many interesting and unexpected stories reside in some of the most well-known Manhattan’s neighborhood names. So, how did famous Manhattan neighborhoods got their names? Let’s explore that question right now!
Harlem
We are all aware that the Duch people founded The Big Apple. In the old days, New York was called New Amsterdam. After that, England came by and renamed the colony, New York. York is a city in England, and English settlers wanted to live in a city that reminded them of their homeland.
Unfortunately for them, they had to move to America by themselves. Traveling across the Atlantic wasn’t fun. It was difficult, risky, and costly. Today thankfully, you don’t have to worry about any of those horrible things. All you have to do is to contact a professional moving company and get ready for the move. Manhattan has professional and friendly crews that can help you with that, so you don’t have to move as our ancestors did.
However, Dutch influence is still around New York. Harlem is just one of the examples. The name Harlem comes from the Dutch. Haarlem is a city in the Netherlands, and you can guess how Harlem got its name. Therefore, the previous colonial power still has the last laugh, at least when it comes to the name of this prominent New York neighborhood.
Chelsea
Retired British Major Thomas Clarke bought a land located at what is now 24th and 21st Street. Obviously, he built a home there and named it “Chelsea” after a retirement home and hospital for veterans in Britain. This property would pass through many hands, but the name would stay.
So, if you want to be like Major Clarke and have a piece of property at the same location, you have to find a suitable home for yourself. Thankfully, finding a new home in Chelsea is simple. If you decide to move to this neighborhood from any part of New York, like Williamsburg or another of Brooklyn, all you have to do is go online and search for a home you like.
Greenwich Village
Once again, we have to look to Dutch to get an idea of how this neighborhood got its name. Greenwich village was named after the Dutch word Greenwijck, which means Pine District. After the British came, the name stayed, but it was anglicized to Greenwich. ‘Village’ was added next to the name, and that is the story of this popular neighborhood’s name. So, if you decide to relocate to New York, you’ll know how some famous Manhattan neighborhoods got their names.
We wish you all the best!