Can you explain the origin of various countries’ names? Every country on Earth takes its name from one of four sources: a notable figure from the country’s past, a geographical reference, a physical trait of the land, or a distinct people or culture that inhabits the area.
In this vein, the Latin phrase terra australis, meaning southern land, is the source of Australia’s English name. The name Indonesia derives from the Latin terms for Indian Islands, Indos, and Nesos. Originating before modern-day Indonesia ever existed, the name has historical significance.

Below you’ll find the names of 15 countries that only use nine letters. Keep in mind that although the names of these nations all contain nine letters in English, other languages may have more or less.
Moreover, the official names of nations like Cape Verde, Costa Rica, and Guatemala all start with Republic of, making their full names 19 letters long. In the world, the nine-letter nations are:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Cape Verde
- Costa Rica
- Guatemala
- Indonesia
- Lithuania
- Macedonia
- Mauritius
- Nicaragua
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Venezuela
Also See: 8 Letter Countries
Country | 2022 Population |
---|---|
Indonesia | 275501.3390 |
Argentina | 45510.3180 |
Venezuela | 28301.6960 |
Australia | 26177.4130 |
Guatemala | 17843.9080 |
Nicaragua | 6948.3920 |
Singapore | 5975.6890 |
Costa Rica | 5180.8290 |
Lithuania | 2750.0550 |
Mauritius | 1299.4690 |
Cape Verde | 593.1490 |
San Marino | 33.6600 |