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There are a number of different Tasmania names, and each one is interesting in its own way.

Let's look at some of these names...

Aboriginal name

First things first.

The very first name used for the island is the Aboriginal name, Trouwerner.

Van Diemen's Land

When Tasmania was first settled by Europeans, it was known as Van Diemen's Land.

Why Van Diemen?

Abel Tasman, the first European to sight Tasmania, named the island Anthony van Diemen's Land, in honour of the then Governor of the Dutch East Indies, Anthony Van Diemen. The British later shortened the name to Van Diemen's Land.

Apple isle

Tasmania is known as the Apple Isle, as it used to be the major Australian producer of apples, mainly for the British Empire. It is said that Apple Isle also refers to its shape.

Descriptive names

Tasmania is also referred to as Island of Inspiration and Island of Rejuvenation.

I've even seen the island referred to as Treasure Island.

To me, all these names conjure up colourful yet accurate images of Australia's beautiful island state.

Australian colloquial name

Australians refer to Tasmania as Tassie. Tasmanians are also called Tassies. You can even refer to something from Tasmania as Tassie, for example "I love this Tassie wine" (and you will too).

My fave

My favourite name for Tasmania is Your Natural State - you can see this on the license plates of cars in Tasmania. I love the play on meanings!

So which of these is your favourite name for Tasmania? Or maybe you can come up with your own special name for Tasmania!