Addis Ababa

The term 'Addis Ababan' and the city name Addis Ababa have beautiful floral origins in the Amharic language, the working language of the Ethiopian government. The name is a compound of two Amharic words: Addis (አዲስ) meaning 'new' and Ababa (አበባ) meaning 'flower'. Thus, Addis Ababa poetically translates to 'New Flower', reflecting both the freshness of the city's founding and the abundant flowering eucalyptus trees (imported from Australia) that now characterize the city's landscape.

The city was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II (r. 1889-1913) and his consort Empress Taytu Betul, who is credited with suggesting both the location and the name. According to historical accounts, Empress Taytu was attracted to the area because of its hot thermal springs (filwoha in Amharic) at Fil-wuha (now a neighborhood within the city), which had medicinal properties and provided a pleasant bathing location. The site also offered a strategic highland position at approximately 2,355 meters (7,726 feet) above sea level, providing a temperate climate with commanding views of the surrounding countryside.

Before Menelik II established Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's political center had been mobile, with emperors traditionally ruling from a 'wandering capital' (ketema) that moved with the royal court. Menelik had previously established his capital at Entoto, located on a mountain ridge just north of present-day Addis Ababa. However, Entoto's high elevation made it bitterly cold and wooded areas were rapidly depleting as fuel, making it unsustainable. The thermal springs and lower elevation of the Addis Ababa site, combined with good water supply and defensive positioning, made it an ideal permanent capital.

The Oromo people, who are Ethiopia's largest ethnic group and the indigenous inhabitants of the region, have their own name for the city: Finfinnee (also spelled Finfinne), which means 'natural spring' or 'fountain of hot mineral water' in the Oromo language (Afaan Oromoo). This name also references the same thermal springs that attracted Empress Taytu. The Oromo had used the area as grazing land and valued the springs long before Menelik's arrival. In recent decades, there have been political discussions about officially recognizing Finfinnee as an alternative name, reflecting Oromo cultural rights and identity.

Addis Ababa's significance extends beyond Ethiopia; it is often called the 'Diplomatic Capital of Africa' because it hosts the headquarters of the African Union (AU, founded 2002, successor to the Organization of African Unity established 1963) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The demonym 'Addis Ababan' follows English conventions, though in Amharic, residents are called Addis Ababoch (አዲስ አበባዎች, plural form).