Hawaii Holomua, Volume I, Number 55, 21 Nowemapa 1893 — Origin of a Name. [ARTICLE]

Origin of a Name.

The popnlar notion that Ameriea was so called from the Christian name of Amerigo Vespucci ia, it is said, wholly unfounded. tho name really being laken from ‘Amerrique, the Imlian uame of the mouutains between Julgalapa and Libertad, in the provinces of Choutales, whioh separate Laka Nicaragua from the *v!osquito Coast. The name in the Maya language signifies ‘the windy country,’ or the ‘country whero the wind blows always.’ Tho Christian name of Vespucci wus Alberico in ltalian and Spanish, aud Albericus in Latin, but it is subject to a great numl»er of variations, and the name Amerigo, is probably an adaptation of Amerriqae, added to Vespucci’s name todistingsish it (Amerriquo ' being a name aiready known aml applied to the New World) in tho ; same way as we say now 'Chinese Gordon’ to distinguish tbis particular Oonlou by suggesting ono of bis heroic feats. Vespucci’s i elaim to the discovery of Amenea ia put out of court by the facfe that be was in Seville when. Columbus made his voyage. He did, however. make two or three voyages to the New World later I on, and being a vain man and ; acquainted with map makers, he would be notbing lotb to see his ‘ name associated with tbe vague i splendors of the new continent.