why do they call dc district of columbia
On September 9, 1791, the federal city was named in honor of George Washington, and the district was named the Territory of Columbia, Columbia being a poetic name for the United States in use at that time.Source(s): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_Of...BW Â· 7 years ago. Thumbs up.n September 9, 1791, the federal city was named in honor of George Washington, and the district was named the Territory of Columbia, Columbia being a poetic name for the United States in use at that time. Source(s): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_Of... BW Â· 7 years ago. Thumbs up.