There are several theories that are used by people to describe the meaning of the word Macedonia.

When it comes to the Greek mythology, the word Macedon was used as a name of the first phylarch or the tribal chief of the tribe that was initially settled in the western, central and southern Macedonia and it was they who founded the kingdom of Macedon.

But Herodotus described the origin at somewhere else and according to him Makednoi was a tribe of the Dorians and the name might also trace its derivation from a Doric adjective that means tall. This theory also seems plausible as Macedonians were considered as tall people.

Another theory the origin of which is unknown suggests that the meaning might be 'highlanders' but there is a serious debate about the possibility of this meaning.