Theory 1: The name Hong Kong is related to spices. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Hong Kong was administratively under the jurisdiction of Dongguan, Guangdong. Starting from the Ming Dynasty, a small bay in the southern part of Hong Kong Island served as a distribution hub for transshipping spices from southern Guangdong. It became famous for transshipping spices produced in Dongguan, Guangdong, and was referred to by people as "Hong Kong" (Fragrant Harbor). It is said that the spices transshipped through Hong Kong at that time were of superior quality and were known as "Hainan Rarities." Soon, these spices were listed as tributes to the Emperor, which led to a flourishing incense-making and shipping industry at the time. Later, the cultivation and transshipment of spices gradually declined, but the name "Hong Kong" was retained.
Theory 2: Hong Kong is a natural harbor with nearby streams of sweet and refreshing water. Sailors passing by often came here to fetch water for drinking. Over time, the sweet-smelling stream became famous, and this small stream was called "Heung Gong" (Fragrant River). The small bay formed by the river flowing into the sea also began to be called "Hong Kong." When a group of British people landed on Hong Kong Island, they came ashore at this bay, so they used "Hong Kong" to name the entire island. To this day, "Heung Gong" remains an alternative name for Hong Kong.
Theory 3: Named after "Heung Gu." It is said that Heung Gu was the wife of a pirate. After the pirate died, she occupied this small island. Over time, people named the island after her, calling it "Hong Kong."
Theory 4: It is named after a fisherman named Chen Qun ("Ah Qun"), who led the British from Aberdeen over the mountains along this path to the Sheung Wan area to open a road for the British military. She was very likely a Tanka woman. Because the road was led by Ah Qun, it was called "Ah Qun's Path." The British recorded it using the Tanka pronunciation "HONG KONG," which subsequently became the general name for the entire island. This has also become one of the theories regarding the origin of the name Hong Kong.
Even today, some people still refer to Hong Kong as "Heung Gong," "Heung Hoi," "Heung Do," or "Heung Chau."
The English name of Hong Kong was originally translated as Heung Kong based on the Guangzhou dialect. Many water-dwelling residents in Hong Kong pronounced "Kong" as "Kong," so the English name was subsequently changed to Hong Kong.
