The etymology of “Jerusalem” is complex, with roots in ancient languages. It is derived from the ancient Semitic word “Yerushalayim” (ירושלים in Hebrew). The first part, “Yeru” (ירו), is thought to mean “foundation” or “city.” The second part, “Shalem” (שלם), is often interpreted as “peace” or “completeness,” stemming from the root “shalom” (שלום), which means “peace.”
Thus, the name Jerusalem is sometimes translated as “City of Peace” or “Foundation of Peace.” However, the interpretation can vary, as the term also has connections to early references like “Urušalim” or “Urushalim” in ancient Akkadian, used by the Egyptians and Canaanites, meaning “City of Shalem.” Shalem was likely a Canaanite deity, which suggests that the name could have originally referred to a divine patronage of the city.