The word "China" is derived from Cin (چین), a Persian name for China popularized in Europe by Marco Polo. The first recorded use in English dates from 1555. In early usage, "china" as a term for porcelain was spelled differently from the name of the country, the two words being derived from separate Persian words. read more
Dinnerware is sometimes called "china" as a reference to the country of China, where the first porcelain was produced. Porcelain has historically been the material used in the production of fine dinnerware. read more