Origins: Singapore's "Lion City"

In the 13th century, an exiled Sumatran prince seeking a new kingdom spotted a "Singa," the Sanskrit word for lion, on a nearby island. Viewing this as a positive omen, he chose the site for his city and called it Singapura, or Lion City. However, scholars contend that Singapore’s name is really a misnomer—the prince likely saw a tiger, given that lions have never lived in the region.

Photo Credit: Singapore (PhotoDisc)