Before the time of the Danish West Indies (1754–1917), the City was known as Taphus for its many beer halls. Taphus is Danish and directly translates to "beer house", "beer hall", or (most literally) "tap house". In 1691 the Town received a more respectable name by being named Charlotte Amalie in honor of Danish King Christian V's wife, Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel (1650–1714). Between 1921 and 1936, the Island was called St. Thomas by the United States. In 1936 the capital was recognized as Charlotte Amalie.