New Amsterdam was a name given to the Dutch settlement that was established on the southern end of Manhattan Island in the 17th century. This small town went through several name changes over the years before it was eventually named New York City. Synonyms for New Amsterdam include Nieuw Amsterdam (Dutch), Novum Amstelodamum (Latin), and Nouvelle-Amsterdam (French). These synonyms reflect the history of a city that was colonized by the Dutch, later taken by the British, and then became a melting pot of cultures that it is today. The name New Amsterdam remains a significant part of the city's history, even if it is no longer in use.