- Location: Canada, Italy, USA
1. Italy (Tuscany): locally Firenze 'Flowering City' or 'City of Flowers' from the Old Italian fiorenza, itself from the Latin florere 'to blossom', perhaps because the city was built on a flowery meadow. Founded in 59 bc as a Roman military garrison, its Latin name Florentia meant 'The Flourishing Town'. A republic during the 15th century, it was the capital of Italy 1865–71. The 'Flo' of Florentia evolved through 'Fio' to 'Fi'.
2. USA (Alabama): founded in 1818 and named after the Florence in Italy by its Italian planner, Ferdinand Sanona.
3. USA (Arizona): founded in 1866 and named after the sister of Governor Richard McCormick.
4. USA (South Carolina): originally founded in the 1850s as Wilds, it was renamed in about 1859 after the daughter of General William Harlee, a senior railroad official.
