The Naming of America (2001)
The naming of America, first appearing on a map in 1507, involves complex origins beyond Amerigo Vespucci, reflecting cultural identity and colonial legacies, with various explorers potentially influencing the name.
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The naming of America has been a subject of debate since the early 20th century, challenging the traditional narrative that attributes the name to Amerigo Vespucci. The first known use of "America" on a map was by Martin Waldseemüller in 1507, but the origins of the name are complex and intertwined with various historical narratives. While Vespucci is credited with recognizing the New World as distinct from Asia, other claims suggest that the name may derive from earlier explorers, including Norse, Irish, and even African voyagers. Theories have emerged, such as the Amerrique theory, which posits that the name comes from a district in Nicaragua, and some argue that Vespucci may have adopted the name after his voyages. Critics of the traditional narrative, like Jan Carew, argue that the colonial naming process reflects a broader cultural alienation and identity crisis for indigenous peoples. The historical portrayal of Vespucci has also been contentious, with accusations of opportunism and dishonesty overshadowing his contributions. Ultimately, the naming of America is not just a matter of historical fact but also a reflection of cultural identity and the legacies of colonialism.
- The name "America" first appeared on a map in 1507, attributed to Martin Waldseemüller.
- Traditional narratives credit Amerigo Vespucci with the naming, but alternative theories exist regarding its origins.
- Various explorers, including Norse and Irish, may have reached America before Columbus and Vespucci.
- The naming process is linked to cultural alienation and identity crises for indigenous peoples.
- Vespucci's reputation has been historically vilified, complicating his legacy in the discovery narrative.
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- Commenters express curiosity about historical figures related to the name, such as America Vespucci, and question the outcomes of her land grant request.
- There are debates about the historical accuracy of early maps and the representation of indigenous peoples.
- Some comments reflect on the implications of the name "America" on cultural identity and historical narratives.
- Humor is present, with remarks about the absurdity of alternative names for the United States.
- Several users share personal reflections on the significance of the name and its origins, indicating a broader interest in the topic.
14 commentsI found this little aside in the opening paragraph interesting. Who did she ask? And was she successful?
A quick google search didn’t turn up much about America Vespucci. I did find one article about her that makes her sound very interesting [1], but no mention of the above request. I’m guessing from the way she moved around after 1839 her request was not granted, though.
[1] https://jeffcowiki.miraheze.org/wiki/Marie_Helene_America_Ve...
This is a new one on me. Maybe it could it have happened, but I very much doubt it. This seems to go back to the usual thing of "Native Americans were too dumb to build a civilization".
If anyone got to the Americas before people crossing the Atlantic, it would have been the Polynesians. That I could believe.
I appreciate Marcou's map (1890) being a historical recreation of that region of Nicaragua, but I would have expected this tribal name to be an anchoring notation throughout early maps of the region from the beginning. But maybe I'm missing something.
This line gave me synchronicity shivers. There's a recent SMBC comic that's been linked a few times on HN recently: https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/arthur. The other day it sent me down a minor rabbit hole reading about Brittany, where I stumbled upon this map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittany#/media/File:Britonia6.... I (a Brit) thought that "Armorica" sounds exactly like "America" and looked up the meaning: "place by the sea". I realised I'd never looked up the origin of the name America but this must be it. So I googled around and was disappointed when I found the story about Vespucci. Cool to know that it's still somewhat in dispute.
It's the idea of what being an American stands for that matters, not the origin of the word.
Also, I found most of the comments here equally educational and informative!
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