Long Island gets its name from its long, narrow shape. Stretching approximately 118 miles from New York Harbor to Montauk Point, the island is far longer than it is wide. Dutch colonists called it Lange Eylandt, meaning “Long Island,” and the English name preserves that straightforward geographic description.
Where Did the Name Long Island Come From?
The name has roots in the Dutch colonial period, when much of the surrounding region was part of New Netherland. Seventeenth-century Dutch records and maps used forms such as Lange Eylandt to identify Long Island. Historical spelling varied, but the meaning was essentially the same as the name used today.
After the English took control of New Netherland in 1664, “Long Island” continued in use under English rule. Its proportions explain the description: the island extends roughly east to west along the southeastern edge of New York State and reaches approximately 23 miles across at its widest point.
Did Long Island Have Other Names?
Long before European colonization, Long Island was home to Indigenous communities with their own names for settlements, waterways, and surrounding lands. As our explanation of who discovered Long Island discusses, the island’s human history began thousands of years before Europeans arrived. Local Indigenous place names should not be treated as though every community shared one uniform name for the entire island.
During the colonial period, the island was also known as the “Isle of Nassau,” a name honoring William III, who belonged to the House of Nassau and ruled as king of England. That historical name did not replace “Long Island” in everyday usage. It also helps explain the later selection of the name Nassau County.
Does the Name Include Brooklyn and Queens?
Geographically, yes. The four counties that make up Long Island include Brooklyn and Queens at its western end, along with Nassau County and Suffolk County to the east. In everyday conversation, however, “Long Island” often means only Nassau and Suffolk counties. That regional shorthand differs from the geographic meaning, which refers to the full island.
Key Facts & Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Name Origin | A description of Long Island’s long, narrow shape. |
| Historical Dutch Name | Lange Eylandt, meaning “Long Island,” with variations in historical spelling. |
| Other Historical Name | “Isle of Nassau,” honoring William III of the House of Nassau; the name also influenced the later naming of Nassau County. |
| Approximate Length | 118 miles (190 kilometers); measurements vary slightly by source and endpoints. |
| Maximum Width | Approximately 23 miles (37 kilometers). |
| Western and Eastern Reference Points | New York Harbor and Montauk Point. |
| Located In | Southeastern New York State. |
| Geographic Extent | Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. |
| Common Regional Usage | “Long Island” often refers specifically to Nassau and Suffolk counties. |
The name Long Island connects the island’s distinctive geography with its colonial naming history. Understanding that origin also helps distinguish the full island shown on a map from the Nassau-and-Suffolk region that many residents mean when they say they live “on Long Island.”