15 Places That Don't Mean What You Think: Explained
Discover 15 places that don't mean what you think—from Paris, Texas to Greenland—and the surprising stories behind their misleading names.
Read more
What Are People From Phnom Penh Called?
Southeast Asia, Cambodia
The demonym for people from Phnom Penh is:
Phnom Penher
Pronunciation:
/pəˈnɒm ˈpɛn/
About Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia, situated where the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers meet. The city has served as the capital since the French colonial era and was once known as the 'Pearl of Asia' during the 1920s for its elegant boulevards and architecture. Visitors can admire the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, which together showcase the nation's Khmer heritage. The city's riverfront promenade is a lively place to watch sunsets and enjoy local food. Phnom Penh also carries a difficult history, as the Khmer Rouge period left deep scars, but the city has since been recovering and developing rapidly. Today it is a dynamic capital that welcomes travelers interested in Cambodian culture and history.
Quick Facts about Phnom Penh
- Population:
- 2,281,951 (2024 est.)
- Country:
- Cambodia
- Region:
- Southeast Asia
Recommended Geography Resources
Want to explore where Phnom Penhers live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
National Geographic Atlas of the World
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
▶See more options
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Etymology of the Phnom Penh Demonym
From Khmer, meaning 'Penh's Hill', named after Lady Penh. The demonym is informal.
Places near Phnom Penh
Other places in the region and their demonyms
Top Things to Do in Phnom Penh
Quick Facts
- Population:
- 2,281,951 (2024 est.)
- Country:
- Cambodia
- Region:
- Southeast Asia
Latest Articles
20 Place Names That Were Literally Translated, Explained
From Montenegro to Naples, these 20 place names that were literally translated show how languages rebuild geography — and what the originals mean.
Read more
Recommended Geography Resources
Want to explore where Phnom Penhers live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
National Geographic Atlas of the World
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
▶See more options
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Test Your Knowledge
Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!
Take a Quiz →Learn More
Actions
Test Your Knowledge
Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!
Take a Quiz →More demonyms from Southeast Asia
Discover demonyms from other places in this region