Was Melbourne Almost Named Batman? Discover the Remarkable Story

Explore the fascinating history of Melbourne's naming and its connection to John Batman.

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Yes, Melbourne was almost called Batman. The city was nearly named after John Batman, one of the founding settlers who negotiated the Melbourne area for a small sum of goods with the local Aboriginal people in 1835. The name ‘Melbourne’ was later chosen in honor of the British Prime Minister, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne.

FAQs & Answers

  1. Why was Melbourne almost called Batman? Melbourne was nearly named after John Batman, a founding settler who negotiated land in the area in 1835.
  2. Who is John Batman? John Batman was one of the founding settlers of Melbourne, recognized for his negotiation with local Aboriginal people.
  3. What does the name Melbourne honor? The name 'Melbourne' honors William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, the British Prime Minister at the time.
  4. How did Melbourne get its name? Melbourne was named in 1837 after the British Prime Minister William Lamb, while John Batman's name was proposed originally.

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