Why is Georgia called Georgia, and what do Georgians call their country?
Sakartvelo, Kartvelians and where the Russian and English names come from.
Short answer
Georgians call their country Sakartvelo, 'the land of the Kartvelians', and a Georgian person is a Kartveli. The English name Georgia likely comes from a Persian word meaning 'wolf', and the Russian Gruzia most likely derives from the same Persian word.
Why
- Kartli, the central historical region, gave its name to the whole people.
- The name Sakartvelo has been used since about the early 9th century, first for the people of Kartli and later for all lands of the medieval Georgian state.
- Turkish uses Gürcistan and Persian uses Gurjistan today.
Details
Georgia is sometimes confused with the US state, which was named after King George II of Great Britain. In English the country is Georgia, the capital Tbilisi and the coastal city Batumi.
Tip
When talking with Georgians, call the country Sakartvelo: that is its name in Georgian.
What may differ
Common misconception
The name Georgia comes from St George.
What actually happens
The name Georgia most likely comes from a Persian word meaning 'wolf', as does the Russian 'Gruziya'.
People also ask
- What do Georgians call their country?
Sources
Name origins follow the most widely accepted versions. Information checked on November 13, 2026.
Sakartvelo: What Georgia's Name Means and Where It Comes FromRelated questions
-
What is the Georgian war dance with weapons called?
The Georgian war dance with real swords is called parikaoba, an ancient dance with extremely complicated acrobatic steps.
-
What time is it in Tbilisi and Batumi, and which time zone does Georgia use?
All of Georgia, including Tbilisi and Batumi, is on one time, UTC+4.
-
What is the Georgian chokha, and is it on UNESCO's intangible heritage list?
The chokha is part of traditional Georgian men's clothing, worn with a belt, a dagger, knitted britches and cowhide footwear.
-
What is the national anthem of Georgia, and what is it called?
The national anthem of Georgia is called Tavisupleba (Freedom), and its text and music are set out in Annexes 4 and 5 of the Organic Law on State Symbols.