Where does California get its name? I have been told two versions of its origin.?

Question

One is that it is named after a mythical black figure called Queen Califia, and two is that Fra Juniper Serra who founded the Missions named it. He was from Mallorca and I hear that the word California, when broken down, roughly means the 'hot land that burns' in Catalan. Are either of these two explanations true? If not, does someone have the real answer? Thanks.

Answer 1

It is my understanding that the origin of California’s name is unknown. Therefore, you will see many guesses.
The name "California" first appeared in Ordonez de Montalvo’s 1510 novel Las Sergas de Esplanidan as the name of an island of riches. The two possible meanings of the name are the Latin calida forno, meaning “hot riches,” or the Spanish calif, meaning “sovereign.”

Answer 2

The name California is most commonly believed derived from a storied paradise peopled by black Amazons and ruled by Queen Califia. The myth of Califia is recorded in a 1510 work The Exploits of Esplandian, written as a sequel to Amadís de Gaula by Spanish adventure writer García Ordonez Rodriguez de Montalvo.[3] The kingdom of Queen Califia, according to Montalvo, was said to be a remote land inhabited by griffins and other strange beasts and rich in gold.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_the_name_California


California is currently used by three North American sub-federal entities – in the United States, by the State of California; and in Mexico, by the State of Baja California (or "Lower California") and the State of Baja California Sur (or "South Lower California") – and many other places in other parts of the world.

"Alta" or "Upper California" was the name of the State of California when it was still part of Mexico, and the Sea of Cortés is also known as the Gulf of California.

Several origins have been suggested for the word "California," including Spanish, Latin and Aboriginal American origins. All of these are disputed.[1] The following paragraphs illustrate some of the extant claims.

California originally referred to the entire region composed of the Mexican peninsula now known as Baja California and land in the current U.S. states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and Wyoming, which was eventually distinguished as Alta California. In even earlier times, the boundaries of the Sea of Cortés and the Pacific coast were only partially explored and California was shown on early maps as an island.

Answer 3

Ok, here goes another version, rather lacking in proof. Near Sesimbra, in Portugal, is a place called California; and it has had that name for many centuries. Why? Because of the abundant limestone formations in the area, and of the kilns (fornos) in which it was transformed into lime (cal). Story goes that a portuguese sailor got the honour of naming new lands in the west coast of the Americas, and being reminded of his home landscape decided on California. I'm telling this just as it was told to me.

Answer 4

one version is that in 1536 when Hernán Cortés was there the Spanish tought that California was "hot as an oven" the missioners that describe everything in latin named it "calida fornax" the soldiers couldn't pronounce it changing the name to CALIFORNIA.

Answer 5

No, but my guess is like the Catalan origin idea... a place as hot as an oven. Caliente... Forno. I'm probly wrong though.

Answer 6

All very plausible explanations, but you weren't asking about the suburb of Birmingham (UK), also called California, were you? I'd love to know how that got its name!