Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did Liaoning province get its name?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The name Liaoning is derived from the Liao River, which flows through the center of the province.1

While the name is often interpreted as meaning "Liao Peace," the province—along with the former provinces of Liaoxi and Liaodong—takes its name directly from the river, with historical precedents for these names dating back to the Han dynasty. The region was renamed Liaoning in 1929 following an alteration of its boundaries.1