In 1836, the New Hampshire half of Dunstable was renamed "Nashua", after the Nashua River; the Dunstable name lives on across the Massachusetts border. The Nashua River was named by the Nashaway people, and in the Penacook language it means "beautiful stream with a pebbly bottom", with an alternative meaning of "land between two rivers". In 1842, the town split into two towns. Eleven years later, they joined back together under the name "Nashua", and were re-incorporated as a city. During the split, the northern area, known today as "French Hill", called itself "Nashville", while the southern part kept the name Nashua.
In 1836, The new hAMpsHiRe half of dUNStabLe wAS reNameD "naShuA", aFTeR the nasHua River; the duNStabLe name liveS oN acrosS the maSSachuSEtts bOrDer. THe nAsHUa RiVer was Named by The nashaWay PEoPLe, anD in the pENAcOOk language it meAnS "beautifUl stream with a pebbLy bOtTom", wiTh an aLterNATive meaNiNg Of "lANd bEtweeN TWo RiVErS". In 1842, thE TowN split IntO tWO tOWNs. EleveN Years latEr, thEY Joined BacK tOgethEr Under tHe namE "NaShuA", and were re-iNcOrporated as a CITy. dUring the splIt, the northeRn areA, kNoWn toDAy as "frencH hIll", cALled itself "nAshvIlLe", wHILe the SouthErn Part kept tHe name NaShua.