What is the historical name of Sri Lanka?

The historical name of Sri Lanka is Ceylon. It was named so by the Portuguese who arrived on the island in 1505, and the name continued to be used by the Dutch and British during their colonial rule. The name "Ceylon" was derived from the ancient Sinhalese term for the island, "Sinhala-Dvipa," which means "Dwelling of the Lion People." However, in 1972, Sri Lanka gained independence and subsequently changed its name to reflect its cultural and historical roots.