Here's a breakdown of the etymology:
* Iberians: This name likely originated from the Greek word "Íberos," meaning "river." The Greeks likely applied this name to the inhabitants of the region because the Iberian Peninsula is bordered by several major rivers, including the Ebro, Tagus, and Guadiana.
* Peninsula: This word comes from Latin, meaning "almost island." The Iberian Peninsula is almost an island, connected to mainland Europe only by a narrow land bridge in the north.
Therefore, the name "Iberian Peninsula" literally means "the peninsula of the river people."
It's important to note that the Iberians were not a single, unified people. Instead, they comprised a diverse group of tribes with distinct cultures and languages. However, the Greeks and Romans used the term "Iberian" to refer to the inhabitants of the entire peninsula.
The term "Iberia" continues to be used today to refer to the Iberian Peninsula, even though the Iberians themselves have long since vanished.