'Apulia' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'Apulia', where the name is likely connected to the ancient people called the Iapyges (Greek 'Iapygós'), indicating the region associated with that people.

'Apulia' changed from earlier Greek and local forms (e.g. Greek 'Iapygía' / 'Apoulía'), then appeared in Classical Latin as 'Apulia'; through the development of the Romance languages it became Italian 'Puglia', while English preserved the form 'Apulia'.

Initially, it meant 'land of the Iapyges' (the local ancient people); over time it evolved into the proper name for the geographic and administrative region now known as Apulia/Puglia.