The former name of New York City was New Amsterdam. Originally a Dutch settlement established in 1624, it served as a trading post under the Dutch West India Company. The city was renamed New York in 1664 when the English seized control of the territory and named it after the Duke of York. New Amsterdam’s diverse population, strategic location, and commercial orientation laid the groundwork for New York City to become a major cultural and economic hub. The early history of New Amsterdam highlights the city’s roots in colonial diversity and trade dynamics that shaped its future.