Shanghai is the world's most populous city. What does the name "Shanghai" literally mean?

The two Chinese characters in the city's name are 上 (shàng, 'above' or 'on') and 海 (hǎi, 'sea'), together meaning 'Upon-the-Sea'. The earliest occurrence of this name dates from the 11th-century Song Dynasty, at which time there was already a river confluence and a town with this name in the area.

'Harpoon Ditch' is an old reference to the city, deriving from a 4th- or 5th-century name for the mouth of Suzhou Creek.

An alternative name for Shanghai is 'Shen City', from a third-century BC nobleman whose fief included modern Shanghai.

The city also has various nicknames in English, including 'Pearl of the Orient'.