Who is America actually named after and what other countries are named after people?

Question

America, being named for it's founder, what is the persons actual real name and what other countries are named after thier founders?

Answers, not theories detailed and supported fact oblige the best rating!

Thank you in advance!~

Answer 1

There are actually quite a few. Here's a list:

* Bermuda - Juan de Bermúdez (crown colony)
* Bharath - another name for India (Bharath was a prince, son of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala)
* Bolivia - Simón Bolívar
* Cambodia - Cambu Svayambhuva
* Colombia - Christopher Columbus (after the Italian version of his name)
* El Salvador - "The Saviour", Jesus
* Israel - Jacob (alternative name)
* Kiribati - Thomas Gilbert
* Liechtenstein - Anton Florian of Liechtenstein
* Marshall Islands - John Marshall
* Mauritius - Maurice of Nassau
* Philippines - Philip II of Spain
* Saint Kitts and Nevis - Saint Christopher
* Saint Lucia - Lucy of Syracuse (?)
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Saint Vincent
* San Marino - Saint Marinus
* São Tomé and Príncipe - Saint Thomas
* Saudi Arabia - Muhammad bin Saud
* Seychelles - Jean Moreau de Sechelles
* Solomon Islands - Solomon
* The United States of America - Amerigo Vespucci
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_entities_named_after_people

That article contains links to several of the people mentioned and to articles about each country where details can be found.

For a more complete list of the origins of names of the world's nations, check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_country_name_etymologies

Answer 2

As one other person said, America was named after Amerigo Vespucci. Yes, he was an explorer but he also was the first person to make a map of the Area that Columbus did discover so they did give his name to the Area. Almost his name!! Yes, some countries in South America are named after some people but not the ones who founded them. After all, the Indians of North and South America were here first and they did live here long before anyone else got here!!
Also, do you mean who the Continents are named after? There is not one country with the Name AMERICA!!
We are known as the United States of America. We are not America all by ourselves!!!

Answer 3

Americas are named after Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian merchant, probably from Geneoa, the port city where Columbus ( Italian name Colombo ) also belonged. There is a small plot of land, covered with small bushes where Columbus' house reputedly stood.
This Mr Amerigo Vespucci was a very rich merchant , explorer and trader.
I eas told that his niece-- Simonetta Vespucci--is depicted in Michael Angelo's famous painting, The Birth of Venice, which hangs in Galaria Officio in Florence. She must have been a very very beautiful woman,
Please check for Amerigo Vespucci in some Encyclopedia.

Answer 4

America is not named for its founder. America comes from way back then when Christopher Columbus left France looking for a new way to India he thought he had reached some countries called the americas (probably south america) so thats how it got called America. Look under Christopher Columbus for proof.

Answer 5

America was named after Amerigo Verspucci, an Italian explorer and merchant from Genoa.

Columbia
St. Marten

Answer 6

Amerigo Vespucci

Answer 7

America = United States is not named after anyone.
The continents North America and South America are.
We are United States of America. The word America refers to the New World that was named after some Italian dude.

USA was not founded by any one person. It was founded by The People.

Answer 8

America was named after Amerigo Vespucci. Here are a few links with more information.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15384b.htm
http://geography.about.com/cs/historicalgeog/a/amerigo.htm

I'm not sure if there are any other countries named after their founders or not. I can't think of any others.

Answer 9

Bolivia is named after... San Boliviar I think.

Edit: Actually I recall its Simone Boliviar, not San.