How did Richmond, VA get its name?

Richmond is a masculine name and is pronounced rich-mond. It is of Old French origin. It means "a rich hill". There are other opinions about the origin of the word Richmond. It could also be of the Old German origin, in which case it means "powerful protector".

Richmond is also the capital town Swaledale in France and was originally called Hindrelac. The name Richmond was later changed to Riche-Monte which means a strong-hill. 

The site of Richmond, was initially settled by English settlers from Jamestown in 1609. Prior to 1607, the Powhatan Indian tribe lived in the region. The current day city of Richmond was founded in 1737. Richmond became the capital of the Colony of Virginia in 1780.                                                                                                                                                                                     Several notable events occurred in the city, during the Revolutionary War timeframe, including Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" speech in 1775 at St. John's Church. It was a critical and defining moment for deciding Virginia's participation in the First Continental Congress and setting the course for revolution and independence. Richmond served as the capital of the Confederate States of America, during the Civil War, and today many important American Civil War landmarks remain. A few of which include the Virginia State Capitol and the White House of the Confederacy.

Richmond is one of only twelve cities in the United States to be home to a Federal Reserve Bank. There are also nine Fortune 500, and thirteen Fortune 1000 companies in the city. Richmond's economy also relies on tourism because of many historic sights are in or nearby.

William Byrd was granted lands on the James River that included the area that became Richmond in 1673. He was a trader and established a fort on the land. His son inherited his land in 1704, and in 1737 founded the town of Richmond and the town grid was established. Byrd named the city Richmond after the English town of Richmond in England. The town was incorporated in 1742.