Toponymy
The city of Kathmandu is named after a structure in Durbar Square called Kasthamandap. In Sanskrit, Kastha (काष्ठ) is "wood" and Mandap (मंडप/मण्डप) is "covered shelter." This unique temple, also known as Maru Satal, was built in 1596 by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla. The two-storey structure is made entirely of wood, using no iron nails or supports. Legend has it that the timber used for this pagoda was obtained from a single tree.
The colophons of ancient manuscripts dating up to the last century refer to Kathmandu as Kasthamandap Mahanagar in Nepal Mandala. Mahanagar means "great city". Till present times, the city is called Kasthamandap when the priest recites a vow during Buddhist rituals. During the medieval era, the name Kantipur (कान्तिपुर) was sometimes used to denote the city. This name derives from two Sanskrit words- Kanti and pur. "Kanti" is an alternate name of the Goddess Lakshmi, and "pur" means place.
Kathmandu is known as Yen Desa (येँ देश) among the indigenous Newar people. Patan and Bhaktapur are called Yala Desa (यल देश) and Khwopa Desa (ख्वप देश). Yen is the shorter form of Yambu (यम्बु), which originally referred to the northern half of Kathmandu.
Read more about this topic: Kathmandu