Swakopmund, Namibia, was founded, by Captain Curt von Francois as the main harbour of German South West Africa in 1892, two years later than Windhoek. Increased traffic between Germany and its colony necessitated the establishment of a port as Walvis Bay, located 33 kilometres south, was in British possession. The choice fell on Swakopmund where water could be found and because other sites checked (including Cape Cross) were unsuitable.
The majority of towns and villages in Namibia have grown out of indigenous settlements and very often were located close to sources of water. Names of places given by original inhabitants were very descriptive and in many cases those names were retained by European settlers who sometimes simplified pronunciations of the names. The Nama word ”Tsoakhaub” can be translated as ”excrement opening” which was an offensive but accurate description of the waters of the Swakop River in flood, carrying masses of mud, sand, pieces of vegetation and animal corpses. The masses of dirty and muddy water were emptied into the ocean and the indigenous name described it very well.
The Nama name was changed to ”Swachaub” and with the proclamation of Swakopmund as an independent district in 1896 the present name came into use.