Where did Savannah GA get its name?

Answer 1

A group of philanthropists organized themselves to establish a colony where the "worthy poor" of Britain could reestablish themselves as productive citizens. This goal was seen as both philanthropic, helping these distressed people, and patriotic, simultaneously relieving Britain of the burden of the imprisoned debtors and augmenting Britain's vital mercantile empire by planting new, industrious subjects to strengthen her trade. This goal went unfulfilled as Georgia was ultimately not settled by debtors or convicts.

In 1732, a group of these philanthropists were granted a royal charter as the Trustees of the Province of Georgia. They carefully selected the first group of colonists to send to the new colony. On 12 February 1733, 113 settlers aboard the Anne landed at what was to become the city of Savannah. James Oglethorpe, one of the trustees of the colony, traveled with the first group of colonists, laid out the design of the town of Savannah, and acted as governor of the colony.

Answer 2

When James Edward Oglethorpe and a few trustees were looking for a place to establish the proposed colony for debtors, they selected a spot beside the Savannah River called Yamacraw Bluff. This became the town of Savannah, being named after the neighboring river.

Answer 3

Savannah, GA was named after what the Spanish named the river: 'Sabana'. The name literally translates into English as 'Savannah', and they mean the same thing: grassy plain, which the marshland certainly resembles.

Answer 4

It is named after the Savannah River.