Origin of the word Nepal (Nepal - Etymology)

When I started looking for the meaning of the word Nepal and looking for the answer of the question how Nepal got its name, I have come across some interesting facts and articles. One of the article I have found in www.kathmandupost.com (Date: September 1, 2015), it has solved most of my query and though it says that they themselves have taken the article from some school curriculum. Here is the article:

"Title: Here are 5 interesting theories about how Nepal got its name!

Over the course of its history, Nepal has been known by names, such as The Land of Truth, The Land of Solitary Meditation and Penance. It is only in this current Iron Age that it is known as Nepal. So when did Nepal become Nepal? Who coined this name?

There are many theories out there. Here are five interesting ones we found:

1. Nepal was ruled by kings of the Gopal dynasty. They were known as ‘Nepa’. Hence the name Nepal
2. In Tibetan Language ‘Ne’ means home and ‘pal’ means ‘wool’. Sheep were reared in Kathmandu Valley once upon a time. Hence Nepal- the land of the wool.
3. In Newari language ‘Ne’ means ‘centre’ and ‘pa’ means country. So Nepal is a country situated in the centre!
4. There was once a sage called ‘Ne’ who lived along the banks of Bagmati and Bishnumati river. He was the only advisor to the king hence. The ruler was so impressed by him, he name the entire kingdom ‘Nepal’
5. ‘Ne’ means ‘holy’ and ‘pal’ means cave in Lepcha’s dialect. Nepal is a holy place- the centre of pilgrimage of Hindus and Buddists. It was called a ‘holy cave’; hence Nepal.

What theory convinces you the most? What did we miss out? Know another theory?

Source: The information has been collected from the curriculum taught at schools in Nepal"

Interestingly they have left a question mark at the end. So, I have decided to decode it in my way and try to present best way possible answer.

Here my answer is point no. 3 that is in Newari "Ne" means centre and "Pa" means country.

# I want to make a clear disclaimer that I am neither denying the existence of Gopal King with the Nepa nor a sage who lived in Kathmandu valley with the name "Ne". In fact I have researched and found that these all facts are mentioned in some old manuscripts. So its there.

So, here is my take on the theory that why Nepal is actually originated from Newari.

Note1: I guess by now it must have been clear that in earlier times Nepal was exclusively used for present day Kathmandu valley. Nepal is also alternatively used for Newar also.

This is the article I have taken from wikipedia which help in further understanding:

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newar_people

Newar: Origin, Etymology

" The terms "Nepāl", "Newār", "Newāl" and "Nepār" are phonetically different forms of the same word, and instances of the various forms appear in texts in different times in history. Nepal is the learned (Sanskrit) form and Newar is the colloquial (Prakrit) form.^[8] A Sanskrit inscription dated to 512 in Tistung, a valley to the west of Kathmandu, contains the phrase "greetings to the Nepals" indicating that the term "Nepal" was used to refer to both the country and the people.^[9][10]

The term "Newar" or "Newa:" referring to "inhabitant of Nepal" appeared for the first time in an inscription dated 1654 in Kathmandu.^[11] Italian Jesuit priest Ippolito Desideri (1684–1733) who traveled to Nepal in 1721 has written that the natives of Nepal are called Newars.^[12] It has been suggested that "Nepal" may be a sanskritization of "Newar", or "Newar" may be a later form of "Nepal".^[13] According to another explanation, the words "Newar" and "Newari" are colloquial forms arising from the mutation of P to W, and L to R.^[14]

As a result of the phonological process of dropping the last consonant and lengthening the vowel, "Newā" for Newār or Newāl, and "Nepā" for Nepāl are used in ordinary speech."

 

Now its more or less clear that Nepal is actually used for present day Kathmandu valley, In fact the word, Newar itself is originated from the word Nepal.

Note2: Now, my second logic goes like this. It will be never ending debate that who actually Newars are ?? (But, if a person use some common sense will definitely and easily→→→ find his answer). So, lets not talk about the origin of the Newari people, but majority of you must agree that the language Newar people using now which is also called Newari bhasa has its roots to Tibetan language. Its definitely a branch of Tibeto-Burman language just like Magars, Gurung, Sherpa, Tamang, Rai, Limbu etc.

And again if you guys notice all over the Nepal (irrespective of who came to Nepal first Khas or Tibetan tribes), many names of the place, mountain, rivers are in Tibeto-Burman Language. Hence, it shows that Tibeto-Burman language was the primary language in naming or identifying the place. 

Note3: Now the question is how Nepa becomes Nepal.

Actually it goes like this:

Nepa ---> Nepali ---> Nepal

Becasue in Tibeti-Burman language when we have to say person from that particular place, 'Li' is used as suffix. Examples:

Palpa ---> Palpali

Syangja ---> Syangjali

Gwadi ----> Gwadeli

Lamjung ---> Lamjungeli

Rolpa ---> Rolpali   and so on

Hence, word Nepali come into existence and with the time Nepali and Nepal started using interchangeably as you might have read in the Wikipedia (On Newari etymology), I have mentioned above.

So, it solves all my query. Here the only concern can be raised is that I have favoured  the Tibeto-Burman language and was biased towards Sanskrit origin languages. 

However, I want to know how did you like my explanation, please do comment. Please do comment and let me know if I am missing something. Thanks