Lady Denman announced the name Canberra at the city’s official naming ceremony on 12 March 1913.
Lady Denman was the wife of Lord Denman, Australia’s Governor-General. At midday, she announced that the future federal capital would be called Canberra during a ceremony held on Kurrajong Hill. The hill was later renamed Capital Hill and became the site of Australia’s present Parliament House.
The ceremony followed an extended search for a suitable name. In 1912, the government invited public suggestions and received almost 750 proposals. “Canberra” was selected from Indigenous language traditions associated with the region, although interpretations of its precise meaning and linguistic origin have varied.
Lady Denman’s role is often confused with that of the city’s planners or political leaders. Walter Burley Griffin won the international design competition, while Prime Minister Andrew Fisher and other officials were involved in developing the capital. Lady Denman performed the specific public act of announcing its name.