When we say Mount Everest, we usually think of the world’s highest peak and extreme mountaineering. But long before it got its English name, the mountain already had powerful local names rooted in culture, faith and geography.
So why is it called ‘Sagarmatha’ in Nepal and ‘Chomolungma’ in Tibet? The answer lies in language, tradition and identity.
THE BRITISH NAME: MOUNT EVEREST
The name Mount Everest was given in 1865 by the Royal Geographical Society during British rule in India. It was named after Sir George Everest, a British surveyor-general of India.
Interestingly, George Everest himself preferred that local names be used. But at the time, British surveyors claimed they could not identify a single commonly accepted local name, so they went ahead with “Everest”. That name eventually became globally popular.
SAGARMATHA: NEPAL’S NAME FOR THE PEAK
In Nepal, the mountain is officially called Sagarmatha.
The word comes from Sanskrit roots: ‘Sagar’ means ocean or sky, and ‘Matha’ means head or forehead.
Together, Sagarmatha is often interpreted as ‘Forehead of the Sky’ or ‘Head of the Great Sky’. The name reflects how the mountain rises above everything else, dominating the horizon.
Nepal officially adopted the name Sagarmatha in the 20th century as a way of asserting national identity and recognising local heritage.
CHOMOLUNGMA: THE TIBETAN NAME
In Tibet, the mountain is called Chomolungma (also written as Qomolangma).
In the Tibetan language, it means ‘Goddess Mother of the World’. This name reflects the spiritual and sacred significance of the mountain in Tibetan culture.
For local communities, the mountain is not just a physical peak but a divine presence. It is deeply connected with religious beliefs and traditional stories.
DIFFERENT NAMES, SAME MOUNTAIN
All three names — Mount Everest, Sagarmatha and Chomolungma — refer to the same peak, located in the Himalayas on the border of Nepal and Tibet (China).
The English name became internationally recognised due to colonial-era mapping and global mountaineering expeditions. But locally, Sagarmatha and Chomolungma continue to carry deeper cultural meaning.
Today, many people prefer using the indigenous names to acknowledge the mountain’s original identity and the communities that have lived around it for centuries.
In the end, the world’s tallest mountain doesn’t just stand high in terms of height — it also carries layers of history, language and culture in its many names.
