“Zermatt” is derived from “Zur Matt”, or “at the “Matte”. And “Horn” describes the shape of the peak, as well as being the nickname used by locals for the Matterhorn. On the Italian side of the border, the mountain goes by the name “Monte Cervino”.

The Matterhorn, one of the most iconic peaks in the Swiss Alps, is known by several different names depending on the language of the observer. In Italian, it is called Monte Cervino, and in French, it is Mont Cervin. These names are believed to derive from the Latin "Mons Silvanus" (Forest Mountain) or possibly from "cervo" (deer), referring to its antler-like appearance. Locally in the German-speaking Canton of Valais, it is often simply called "Z'Hore" (The Horn) or "Ds Horu." Beyond its linguistic titles, the Matterhorn is frequently referred to as the "Mountain of Mountains" (Berg der Berge) because of its near-perfect pyramidal shape and its legendary status in mountaineering history. It is also famously known as the inspiration for the shape of Toblerone chocolate, although the bear hidden in the mountain on the packaging is a tribute to the city of Bern. Standing at 4,478 meters (14,692 ft), it remains a "beacon of hope" and a symbol of Swiss national identity, attracting thousands of climbers and tourists to the town of Zermatt every year.