The word "China" has been used in English since the 16th century; however, it was not used by the Chinese themselves during this period. Its origin has been traced through Portuguese, Malay, and Persian back to the Sanskrit word , used in ancient India. "China" appears in Richard Eden's 1555 translation of the 1516 journal of the Portuguese explorer Duarte Barbosa. Barbosa's usage was derived from Persian (), which in turn derived from Sanskrit ()."China ". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (2000). Boston and New York: Houghton-Mifflin. was first used in early Hindu scripture, including the Mahabharata (5th century BCE) and the Laws of Manu (2nd century BCE).Wade, Geoff. "The Polity of Yelang and the Origin of the Name 'China' ". Sino-Platonic Papers, No. 188, May 2009, p. 20. In 1655, Martino Martini suggested that the word China is derived ultimately from the name of the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE).Martino, Martin, Novus Atlas Sinensis, Vienna 1655, Preface, p. 2. Although use in Indian sources precedes this dynasty, this derivation is still given in various sources. The origin of the Sanskrit word is a matter of debate. Alternative suggestions include the names for Yelang and the Jing or Chu state.
The word "China" has been used in English since the 16th century; however it was not used by the Chinese themselves during this period Its origin has been traced through Portuguese Malay and Persian back to the Sanskrit word  used in ancient India "China" appears in Richard Eden's 1555 translation of the 1516 journal of the Portuguese explorer Duarte Barbosa Barbosa's usage was derived from Persian () which in turn derived from Sanskrit ()"China " The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (2000) Boston and New York Houghton-Mifflin was first used in early Hindu scripture including the Mahabharata (5th century BCE) and the Laws of Manu (2nd century BCE)Wade Geoff "The Polity of Yelang and the Origin of the Name 'China' " Sino-Platonic Papers No 188 May 2009 p 20 In 1655 Martino Martini suggested that the word China is derived ultimately from the name of the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE)Martino Martin Novus Atlas Sinensis Vienna 1655 Preface p 2 Although use in Indian sources precedes this dynasty this derivation is still given in various sources The origin of the Sanskrit word is a matter of debate Alternative suggestions include the names for Yelang and the Jing or Chu state