Most English-language names for foreign places are quite similar to the original language, for example "Italy" is closely derived from the Italian word "Italia".
However some English place names are totally unrelated to the local name.
Here are some I can think of:
Germany (Deutschland)
Japan (Nihon)
China (Zhongguo)
Egypt (Masr)
Albania (Shqipëri)
Can you think of any others? (Not counting obsolete names like Peking and Calcutta)
On the origin of "Germany/Deutschland"
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sQPYkdp_7Vc
Japan/Nihon:
https//m.youtube.com/watch?v=QXLwJqZ7b9M
"China" likely derives from the Qin (Chin) dynasty that united the country. The name "Mandarin" for the language derives from the Hindi "mantri", meaning counselor, and used to refer to Chinese officials.
"Egypt" is a very old word, comes from the ancient Egyptian "Ha-kap-ptah", meaning "Temple of the Soul of Ptah". The Ancient Egyptians called their land "Kemet", but their Jewish slaves called it Mizriam, whence the Arabic name "Masr".
"Albania" is of uncertain origin, it could be a cognate of "Alp" since Albania is quite hilly. Shqipëri means "land of the eagles"... sorry, America.
Wales = Cymru (this is an interesting one: the name "Wales", used by the Anglo-Saxon invaders, ultimately derives from a Germanic word for "foreigner", while the native Welsh name "Cymru" comes from a British Celtic word meaning "fellow countrymen")
Some Irish places:
Dublin = Baile Átha Cliath
Waterford = Port Láirge
Wexford = Loch Garman
Dingle Peninsula = Corca Dhuibhne
Dungloe = An Clochán Liath
And some in Wales:
Swansea = Abertawe
Anglesey = Ynys Môn
Holyhead = Caer Gybi
Cardigan = Aberteifi
Mold = Yr Wyddgrug
Snowdon = Yr Wyddfa
And in Scotland:
Fort William = An Gearasdan
