Talk:Juan-les-Pins

Latest comment: 15 years ago by Johnsjames in topic Derivation of the name?

Derivation of the name? edit

"Why the Spanish spelling of Jean was chosen, is not clear". There is a rational explanation.

According to Adrian Room in "Placenames of the World", the "Juan" in Juan-les-Pins derives from Golfe Juan, the name of the bay upon which the town stands. This is not a Spanish spelling (in this case), it is Occitan. The old name for Golfe Juan was Gourjan (in Occitan, roughly, "John's swimming place"); "John" has been spelt in various ways over the years in Occitan, including Juan, Joan, Jouan.

There should be no surprise that an Occitan name is used for a town in southern France. Johnsjames (talk) 14:15, 3 October 2008 (UTC)Reply