Cincinnati was founded in 1788 as Losantiville. The name loosely means "City across from Licking river". In 1790, Arthur St. Clair, the governor of the Northwest Territory, changed the name of the settlement to "Cincinnati" in honor of the Society of the Cincinnati, of which he was a member. The society honored General George Washington, who was considered a latter day Cincinnatus, the Roman farmer who was called to serve Rome as dictator, an office which he resigned after completing his task of defeating the Aequians.
Chat with our AI personalities
It was originally named "Losantiville." In 1790 Arthur St. Clair, the governor of the Northwest Territory, changed the name of the settlement to "Cincinnati" in honor of the Society of the Cincinnati, of which he was a member. (Wikipedia)
For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click under the related links section (Wikipedia) indicated directly below this answer section.