A character in “As You Like It” & a solider in the Seminole Wars are cited as possible origins for the name of this city

The Final Jeopardy clue for Tuesday, June 10, 2025, came from the category U.S. Cities and read: “A character in ‘As You Like It’ & a soldier in the Seminole Wars are cited as possible origins for the name of this city.” This clue brought a blend of literature and military history into the spotlight, prompting contestants to think beyond geography and into the realms of both Shakespeare and 19th-century American conflict.

What is Orlando?

This intriguing clue called upon knowledge of classic English drama as well as American history. To reach the right answer, contestants needed to identify a city whose name could plausibly be linked to both a Shakespearean character and a figure associated with the Seminole Wars in Florida. Orlando fit the bill, serving as a unique example of how historical narratives and literary references can converge in the naming of a modern American city.

Orlando’s Shakespearean Connection

One potential origin for the name “Orlando” traces back to the main character in William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. In the play, Orlando is a young nobleman who becomes a romantic lead, living in exile in the Forest of Arden. The play was widely known in the 19th century, and references to Shakespeare were not uncommon in place-naming by settlers and city founders in the United States, particularly those looking to lend culture or sophistication to new settlements.

While there’s no definitive documentation confirming that the city was named directly after Shakespeare’s character, the theory is considered plausible by historians. During the mid-1800s, literacy and access to English literature were increasing, and Shakespeare’s plays were commonly taught and quoted. Settlers often drew upon well-known literary sources for town names, and As You Like It would have been among the more familiar works at the time.

The Soldier Theory from the Seminole Wars

Another theory attributes the city’s name to a soldier named Orlando Reeves, who reportedly died during the Seminole Wars in the 1830s. According to local legend, Reeves was either a soldier or a sentinel who died while warning his fellow troops of an impending attack by Seminole forces. A marker bearing the name “Orlando” was allegedly found near his grave, and some believe that the area came to be identified by his name in honor of his sacrifice.

However, historical evidence supporting the existence of Orlando Reeves remains sparse. Researchers have found little to confirm the full details of the story or even whether such a person truly existed. Despite this, the narrative became popular in the region, and many early residents of what is now Orlando accepted the story as fact. It is still mentioned in local lore and appears on several city plaques and historical markers.

A City with Layered Origins

The duality of these naming theories highlights the way myth, literature, and history can intersect in the development of American place names. Orlando’s name may very well have been influenced by both cultural and local traditions. Without definitive records, the truth may never be fully known, but both explanations offer compelling insights into the mindset of early settlers and the stories they chose to elevate.

Whether named for a romantic figure from the English stage or a little-known soldier from the Florida frontier, Orlando reflects a common pattern in U.S. city naming—where narratives, both real and imagined, shape the identity of a place. The city’s name has since taken on its own meaning, now more closely associated with tourism and entertainment than Shakespeare or war, but its layered backstory remains a fascinating footnote in American toponymy.

Jeopardy’s Final Clue Taps into Broader Themes

The June 10 Final Jeopardy clue is a reminder of the interdisciplinary nature of trivia and knowledge. Contestants were asked to connect dots across history, literature, and geography—a hallmark of the game’s intellectual depth. It also offered a spotlight on how cities develop cultural identities not just through what they build, but through the stories they carry. In Orlando’s case, it’s a city whose name may forever straddle the line between romantic fiction and historical legend.