Origin of "Pennsylvania"

Pennsylvania State Name Origin

william-penn-bust.jpg

Bust of William Penn; public domain image on Wikipedia.

What does "Pennsylvania" mean?

Pennsylvania means "Penn's woods." Quaker William Penn was granted the tract of
land by King Charles II of England in 1681 as repayment of debt owed to Penn's father,
Admiral William Penn. Originally, Penn suggested Sylvania (woodland) for his land.

"Commonwealth" of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania shares the designation "Commonwealth" with Virginia, Kentucky and
Massachusetts. The word is of English derivation and refers to the common "weal"
(well-being) of the public. In 1776, the state's first constitution referred to Pennsylvania
as both "State" and "Commonwealth" (either term can be used correctly today). In
Pennsylvania, all legal processes are carried out in the name of the Commonwealth.