Genoa gave the word “jeans” its name in the history of blue jeans.
The English word “jeans” developed from the name of Genoa, the Italian port city. English speakers used forms such as “jeane” for the sturdy cotton clothing associated with Genoese workers and sailors. The term eventually became attached to trousers made from denim.
This origin is separate from the word “denim,” which comes from the French phrase “serge de Nîmes,” meaning a fabric associated with Nîmes. The two words therefore have different geographical roots even though they now describe closely related clothing.
Genoa’s connection is linguistic rather than a claim that modern five-pocket jeans were invented there. The familiar riveted work trousers emerged much later in the United States, especially through the partnership of Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis.