“Borussia” has two main meanings:
Latin name for Prussia: Historically, “Borussia” is the Latin name for Prussia, a former European state that comprised much of what today is Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Russia.
Name associated with football clubs: In modern times, “Borussia” is more commonly associated with the names of two famous German football (soccer) clubs:
- Borussia Dortmund (BVB): A professional football club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. They are one of the most successful and popular clubs in Germany.
- Borussia Mönchengladbach (BMG): Another professional football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. They are also a successful club with a rich history.
The use of “Borussia” in the context of football clubs is more likely than the historical reference in most cases. Interestingly, the name “Borussia” for these football clubs doesn’t actually have anything to do with the historical region of Prussia. According to legend, the name came from a sign on the wall of a pub where the founders of Borussia Dortmund were meeting, which advertised “Borussia Brewery”. They liked the sound of it and adopted the name for their team.