It is believed that the name Reading originates from the Old English word Rēadingas, which means "the people of Rēada." Rēada is believed to be a personal name, meaning "the red one" or "someone with red hair." So, the town of Reading, Berkshire, originally referred to as Rēadingas, would have been named after a tribe or family group led by a man named Rēada. The name has evolved over centuries, but its roots seemingly lie in early Anglo-Saxon England, where it denoted the people or settlement associated with this leader.

There is also the possibility that the land between the Thames and the Kennet was covered in reeds and this may have been another origin of the name.

The spelling of the town of Reading has changed slightly over the centuries, reflecting the linguistic shifts of Old and Middle English. Initially, in the Anglo-Saxon period, it was recorded as Rēadingas or Readingum, meaning "the people of Rēada," as noted above.

By the Middle Ages, as Old English evolved into Middle English, the town's name was often written as Redding or Redynge in medieval manuscripts. These variations reflected the fluidity of spelling during that time, as standardisation of English spelling had not yet occurred. The name gradually stabilised as Reading by the early modern period, around the 16th century, as English spelling became more consistent. Since then, the modern spelling has remained largely unchanged, providing a challenge for voice satnavs and for anyone doing web searches where the common noun trumps the placename.

A study by the University of Nottingham has noted the following name changes from ancient documents:

Readingum 871
Readingan c.980 l
in loco Readingon c.1000
Readingan c.1025
Readin c.1047
Readingas c.1100
Readinges l.13th
Rædigam 893
Readii c.1044–6
Red(d)inges 1086
Reding' 1152,1153
Redynges 1295
Redyng 1330
Radinges 1152,1153
Radinge 1199–1200
Rading c.1230
Reyding' 1268

Reading has birthed quite a few global namesakes. So, let’s take a journey around the world, one Reading at a time.



Reading, Pennsylvania

In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Pennsylvania. Reading, PA is the most populous of Reading’s namesakes, home to over 95,000 residents and steeped in American industrial history. Originally settled in 1748 by the sons of William Penn, the town took its name directly from the English Reading, in a nostalgic nod to the homeland of its Quaker founders.



What started as a small frontier settlement quickly became an industrialised city during the Industrial Revolution. The Reading Railroad—once one of the world's largest corporations—made the town synonymous with industry and transport. Today, that legacy is immortalised as a property on the classic Monopoly board, though its days as a rail giant are long gone.

The city’s story has shifted over the years, and like many post industrial communities, has faced its fair share of economic challenges, Reading, PA, is now a rust belt town with Trump placards on its lawns.

The Reading Public Museum exhibits an Egyptian mummy and works by Degas, and includes a planetarium and arboretum. The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum displays vintage aircraft, including military planes. To the south, trails wind through the woodlands and streams of Nolde Forest. To the east, the Daniel Boone Homestead marks the 18th-century birthplace of the legendary frontiersman.

Even closer to its roots, Reading is in Berkshire county and is famous not for biscuits, but for its pretzels. There is also a musical connection. This Reading might not have spawned a world-famous festival, but it's got musical chops of its own. Taylor Swift grew up here and mentioned the town in her song "Seven". And The Ramones played their last-ever show here in 1996.

 

Redding, California



Heading westward, there is Redding, California. This town actually takes its name not from our town but from Benjamin B. Redding, a land agent for the Central Pacific Railroad. (However, its spelling and pronunciation echo Reading enough to warrant inclusion.) Nestled at the northern tip of the Sacramento Valley, this city boomed during the California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century. Its proximity to the Shasta and Trinity mountains turned it into a key supply outpost for miners seeking their fortunes during the late 1840s and 1850s.



Today, Redding is a gateway to outdoor adventure, with tourists flocking to nearby Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the famous Sundial Bridge. More recently, Redding has found itself on the front lines of California’s “Green Rush” as marijuana legalisation spurred growth in the surrounding region, where the smells in the air would be familiar to many residents of our town.



Reading, Ohio



Next on the map is Reading, Ohio, a quiet suburban city in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Founded in 1798, this Reading was named after the Pennsylvania counterpart rather than Berkshire. With just over 10,000 residents, it’s a classic slice of small-town America, complete with Fourth of July parades, and tight-knit neighbourhoods.

Reading, Ohio, might not have the gritty industrial history of its Pennsylvanian cousin, but it does have its own claim to fame: wedding dresses. Bridal Row, as it's affectionately known, is home to a long-standing tradition of bridal boutiques that have turned this sleepy town into a destination for thousands of brides-to-be. It’s a quirky piece of local culture that puts a unique spin on this otherwise quiet midwestern town.

There are also Readings in Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Kansas and Illinois.



A Tropical Reading



Heading south to the Caribbean, there is the much sunnier and smaller Reading, Jamaica. Situated just outside of the bustling resort city of Montego Bay, Reading is a quaint coastal community that offers a serene, laid-back contrast to the hustle of Jamaica’s tourist hotspots.

This Reading might be tiny, but it boasts picture-perfect beaches, swaying palm trees, and crystal-clear waters, making it an ideal retreat for those seeking peace and natural beauty. If the Berkshire Reading represents England’s misty pastures and ancient abbey ruins, then Reading, Jamaica, is its tropical daydream—a paradise with no need for a coat, just a bathing suit and a good book.


Reading Down Under

For our final stop, let’s jump to the Southern Hemisphere and visit Reading in Australia, a small locality tucked away in Queensland. Though far less known than its more prominent counterparts, this Reading is located near the town of Bowen. It’s a peaceful, agricultural area — home to livestock and crops rather than commuters and festivals. 

Reading is also a small town in Ontario, with its own Maple Syrup Museum.

Meanwhile, Caversham is a suburb of Dunedin on New Zealand's southern island.