Today we think that the foundation of Madrid and his name are due to the Muslims who started to conquer Spain in 711.

It is almost sure the name of Madrid comes from the arab word "machra" or "mayra" which means mother or source of water. The particle "it" (probably Ibero-Roman) meaning abundance or plentiful according to some people and place according to others, was added to the word. "Macher-it" is "mother of plentiful water" or "place of plentiful water", may be a reference to the abundance of water (also subterranean) in the city and the land around. When the city was reconquer by Christians that word entered the Spanish language as "Magerit" changing later to "Madrit" and Today Madrid although most inhabitants of Madrid (Madrilenians) pronounce Madrí or Madriz. Close