Riyadh
A city in the Najd plateau of central Arabia; today the capital of Saudi Arabia. Its name means 'the gardens/meadows'.
- Region
- Najd
- Country
- Saudi Arabia
- Meaning
- The gardens/meadows
Overview
Riyadh sits in Najd. Its name is the plural of rawḍa ('meadow, garden'), reflecting the fertile hollows of the area. It grew from a walled oasis town into a major modern capital.
Families
Many Najdi families are associated with Riyadh and the surrounding Najd towns; verify specific attributions before publishing.
Sources
- ياقوت الحموي، معجم البلدان، 626هـ — للسياق التاريخي لنجد
Last reviewed: 2026-07-09