Joe: Amy, why is New York named New York?
Amy: it was a British colony
Joe: but it used to be New Amsterdam, right?
Amy: indeed, from 1624 there was Dutch trading post on lower Manhattan 
Joe: so what happened?
Amy: In 1664 it was taken over by British and they changed the name
Joe: but why New York, not for example New London?
Amy: I think the British king gave the land to his brother, the Duke of York, hence the name!
Joe: I see, makes sense
Amy: good :)
Joe: You know everything about the history of the city, don't you?
Amy: the name is rather basic stuff, don't you think, especially for a city guide?
Amy: everybody asks about it
Joe: hahaha, I understand
New York used to be called New Amsterdam but the British took over and renamed it in 1664. The name probably comes from the fact that the land belonged to the Duke of York. Amy knows this because she is a tour guide.