Νεάπολις ('New City') was a common name for Greek foundations throughout the Mediterranean, much like 'Newport' or 'Newton' in English. Several cities bore this name from the 5th century BC onward. The later unified form Νεάπολις (genitive Νεαπόλεως) replaced the earlier two-word construction. Inhabitants were called Νεοπολίται or later Νεαπολῖται. The name reflects Greek colonial expansion and the optimism of founding new settlements.