Since its origin in 600 BC, the city of Patna pronunciation (Hindi: पटना) has gone through many name changes. The article lists various name of Patna used throughout its history. The article could also be taken as Toponymy of Patna.
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Pataligram
One legend ascribes the origin of city to a mythological king, Putraka, who created Patna by a magic stroke for his queen Patali, literally trumpet flower, which gives it its ancient name Pataligram. Gram is the Sanskrit word for a village.
Patalipattan
It comes from Pattan (Devanagari: पत्तन) (meaning port in Sanskrit), since the city, located near the confluence of four rivers, has been a thriving river port.
Patliputra
The name Patliputra (Devanagari: पाटलिपुत्र ) is composed (sandhi) of two words, Patali and Putraka (king). The name Patliputra was given by a king of ancient Indian state of Magadh, Ajatashatru, who created a fort in Pataligrama near the River Ganges in 490 BC and later king Ajatashatru shifted his capital to Patliputra. It is also believed, the city's name Patliputra was derived from Patli, a tree variety that is found in the city.
Pa-lin-fou
The Chinese called the place as Pa-lin-fou. This name appears in books of Chinese travellers, Fa Hien & Hsüan-tsang who visited Patliputra.
Palibothra
This name was mentioned by Megasthenes (350 BCE-290 BCE), the Greek historian, (calling it 'Palibothra'(Devanagari: पलिबोथरा) or 'Palimbotra' (Devanagari: पलिम्बोत्र), in his writings during the 4th century.
Azimabad
Prince Azim-us-Shan, the grandson of Aurangzeb came as the Governor of Patliputra in 1703. Earlier than that Sher Shah Suri had moved his capital from Bihar Sharif to Patliputra. It was prince Azim-us-Shan who gave it the name Azimabad.