Does anyone know what does the name of this ancient city in Uzbekistan mean? A truly unique experience is the visit there…

Also I need the etymology of Tashkent. 8)

Did you know what is the true name of Bangkok: Krung Tep Mahanakon Bovorn Ratanakosin Mahintarajutava Mahadilok Pop Noparatrachani Burirom Udomrachnivetmahasatan Amornpiman Avatarnsatip Sakkatatijavisknukarmprasit. The natives simply call it ‘Krung tep’—‘The Town of Angels’...

I didn’t find anything on the meaning of Samarka, but it was the place from which the secrets of paper-making made it to the West.

I also found the coat of arms which may give you some visual, historical clues:

http://www.ngw.nl/int/asia/samarkan.htm

Sitran

[quote author=Nymann link=board=etymology;num=1059751341;start=0#0 date=08/01/03 at 11:22:21]Does anyone know what does the name of this ancient city in Uzbekistan mean? A truly unique experience is the visit there…
Also I need the etymology of Tashkent.

Tashkent is easy enough: all sources seem to agree that it means "stone city" in Uzbek/Turkic.

It seems the Uzbek word for "turtle" is tashbakka, or "stone frog"...  :)

Samarkand is a tougher nut to crack, though, than the stone frog’s carapace. I can’t find any sources which agree. Here are some examples which illustrate the range of proffered etymologies:

samar signifie réunion en langue ancienne iranienne ... Samarkand signifie ville de la réunion
(samar means meeting in Old Iranian… Samarkand means city of assembly)
http://la.vieille.free.fr/jjbasemardictionnairea.htm

Samarkand - der Name bedeutet ”fruchtbare Ansiedlung”
(Samarkand - the name means "fruitful settlement")
www.lotus-entdeckungsreisen.de/pdfs/usbek_maerchenstaedte.pdf

Samarkand bedeutet „süße Frucht“
(Samarkand means "sweet fruit")
http://www.wdr.de/tv/erlebnis/index/01/0624_1.html

Finally, a number of sites claim that Samarkand meant “the land of heart’s desire” in the archaic Persian tongue—but since they are all talking about Samarkand, the neighbourhood in Santa Barbara CA, I think we can probably put that particular piece of etymology down to developers’ puffery!

Coemgenus

Looking at my Lonely Planet Bangkok guide, the full name is written as: "Krungthep mahanakhon amon ratanakosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilok popnopparat ratchathani burirom udomratchaniwet mahasathan amonpiman avatansathit sakkathattiya witsanukamprasit". This translates to "Great city of angels, the repository of divine gems, the great land unconquerable, the grand and prominent realm, the royal and delightful capital city full of nine noble gems, the highest royal dwelling and grand palace, the divine shelter and living place of reincarnated spirits".
The difference on spelling is not surprising, because Thais use a different script.

Concerning your question, Tashkent seems to mean "the Stone Settlement" in Uzbek. After having a look in the web, I have included Samarkand, Tashkent and Bukhara in my "list of places to visit".

[quote author=uncronopio link=board=etymology;num=1059751341;start=0#3 date=10/04/03 at 20:11:29][center]...[/center] ... After having a look in the web, I have included Samarkand, Tashkent and Bukhara in my "list of places to visit".

One of the places I have always wished to visit is Samarra, but I probably never shall ; unless, that is, a certain angel gives me an appointment there (not too soon, I hope)....

Henri

One of the places I have always wished to visit is Samarra, but I probably never shall ; unless, that is, a certain angel gives me an appointment there (not too soon, I hope)....

;D

Samarra… This city seems to be everywhere I go: on every book I read, on every TV program I watch… and now here! I hope it doesn’t mean anything…
I love the way the word sounds, but this begins to be scary…  ???