Lex the Pronunciation of the "Stan's" is etymologically derived from the Sanskrit (Indian) word Sthana which means place. So in literal terms, Afghanistan means place of Afghans. And it is definitely not pronounced the way Americans pronounce it.,(reply>), @kg Good Point lol!,(reply>), Same as "страна" (pronounced as strana) in Russian. I didn't realise it was Sanskrit word, too. Thank you.