The British love a good nickname. It is part of the UK culture to christen every familiar place or person in the country with an obscure reference name.

Here are a few of the favorite monikers for London.

Londinium: The Londinium settlement was formed by the Romans on the current site of London in AD 43. You can still find traces of the Roman's London across the City in walls and layout. The Romans chose this spot because River Thames was an ideal way to transport goods between the City and Europe. They first built the London bridge and then the town of Londinium. In AD 61, Queen Boudicca stood up against the Romans and burned the City to the ground.

The Big Smoke: This nickname dates back to the Industrial Revolution. Air pollution in the City was prevalent all the way up until the sixties due to the popularity of coal-burning fireplaces. In 1956, a clean air bill was passed to allow only smokeless fuel, and the air began to clear. London has implemented many initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote green living, including a bike-sharing program and a congestion charge for vehicles, so this one needs to be more accurate, but it is still often used.

The Swinging City: You've heard of the Swinging Sixties, but London became the Swinging City simultaneously. The City was a hub of music, fashion, and art, and this nickname reflects the excitement of that era. Some experts believe the cultural revolution that swept the world helped Britain recover from World War II. 

Where Royalty Lives: It is the primary residence of the British Royal Family, including King Charles III. Buckingham Palace, the home and administrative headquarters of the UK monarchy, is located in the City of Westminster in central London. 

The Global Village: London is one of the world's most linguistically diverse cities, with over 250 languages spoken within the borders of the M25. 

LDN: The great thing about nicknames is that they are constantly being updated. This one can be traced back to the early 2000s when it became a popular shortened version used by teenagers texting. It already appears on coffee mugs and t-shirts and is used by the BBC.