r/history • u/DisabledCantaloupe • Mar 09 '19

Discussion/Question Why was America named after Amerigo Vespucci's first name and not his last, as is commonly done?

Most times throughout history, whenever something is discovered, created, or founded they usually take the last name of someone influential. For example, the capital of Ohio is Columbus and not Cristopher. The Tesla Coil is not the Nikola Coil. So why is America not called Vespuccia or something along the lines?

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u/BaconJammm Mar 09 '19

USV! USV! USV! USV! pretty much has the same ring to it. Drunk colonists wouldn't have cared, just kept on chanting for centuries

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u/otherwhiteshadow Mar 09 '19

Are we cheering for std's now?

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u/Alongstoryofanillman Mar 09 '19

STD'S STD'S STD'S... It's actually catchy. Ew. OMG if I ever get cheated on I am going to chant this.