'New Columbia' picked as Washington, D.C.'s name should it attain statehood

Efforts to declare Washington, D.C. an official state have ramped up in recent times, reportsWXIN.

According to WAMU, on June 27, New Columbia Statehood Commission "...approved a draft state constitution that will be used for the city's renewed push for statehood in the coming year, and as part of the document's text, settled on New Columbia as the name for what they hope will be the 51st state."

The suggestion is not a new one.

Back in 1982, another time when efforts for statehood were enthusiastically pursued, the name was the winner among several presented in a public vote.

However, much has changed since then and a number of people no longer agree that the name, which is intended as a nod to Christopher Columbus, is appropriate.

Over the years, the Italian explorer has come under scrutiny for his handling of relations with indigenous populations, notes the Washington Post.

The people of Washington, D.C. will have an opportunity to weigh in on the name chosen by the commission in the coming months.

At this time, popular alternatives include Potomac, Anacostia, and Douglass Commonwealth, according to WAMU.