The Euro Was Named by Committee
The euro is the currency of much of Europe. Its name had to work in every language that would use it.
The euro is the currency used by twenty member states of the European Union, introduced in 1999 and in cash form in 2002. The name had an unusual requirement: it had to be short, pronounceable in every official language, and carry no national association. Earlier proposals included the *ecu*, rejected partly because it named an old French coin. The symbol was based on the Greek letter epsilon, a nod to the origins of European civilisation, with two bars for stability.
- A European currency. *Paid in euros.*
- Introduced 1999. *In cash from 2002.*
- Eurozone — the area using it. *The eurozone.*
- Cent — its subdivision. *Fifty cents.*
- From Europe. *The name.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | euro | A euro. |
| Plural | euros | Euros. |
| Compound | eurozone | The eurozone. |
| Symbol | € | €10. |
| Code | EUR | EUR. |
- The bill came to twenty euros.Money.
- Cash arrived in 2002.History.
- The symbol is based on epsilon.Design.
How the name was chosen
- Short enough to say quickly in any language
- Pronounceable across every official alphabet
- Free of national association, unlike mark, franc or lira
- The ecu was rejected partly for naming an old French coin
- Agreed in Madrid in December 1995
From *Europe*, agreed as the currency name at the Madrid European Council in 1995.
Why was the name euro chosen?
It had to be short, pronounceable in every official language and free of any national association. Euro met all three conditions.
What does the euro symbol represent?
The Greek letter epsilon, referring to the origins of European civilisation, with two parallel bars signifying stability.