Canadian Citizenship Practice Test 2025

What is the origin of Canada's name?

1. From the French word for 'explore'.

2. An Iroquoian word meaning 'village'.

3. Named after John Cabot.

4. Derived from a Norse phrase meaning 'new land'.

The correct answer is: An Iroquoian word meaning 'village'.

Canada's name is derived from the Iroquoian word "kanata" which means "village". This name was used by the indigenous peoples to refer to the settlement of Stadacona, which now forms part of modern-day Quebec City. While it is true that Canada's name does have some ties to exploration and Norse origins, these options are not the direct origin of the country's name. The French word "explorer" may have helped influence the spelling of Canada, but it is not the direct origin. Additionally, while John Cabot did explore the Canadian coastline in the late 15th century, the country was already named prior to his arrival. The Norse phrase "new land" may also have played a role in the naming of Canada, but it is not the direct origin as the word "kanata" was already in use before the arrival of the Vikings. Therefore, the most correct explanation is that Canada's name comes from the Iroquoian word meaning "village".