Where does the name America come from?

Question

I wanted to know the origin and meaning of the name America.

Answer 1

I believe the term comes from grade school when we are taught about the Italian explorer who supposedly discovered the New World before Columbus. His name was AMERIGO VESPUCCI. There are others who say it comes from the discovery Leif Ericsson made when he left Greenland and discovered "Vinland" (a land of "wheat fields and vines") and the land was named AMTERIC ( with AMT meaning "district or land" and ERIC , meaning therefore the "land of Eric")by his followers
Another story is about how North Atlantic sailors in the 11th century called it OMMERIKE (oh-MEH-ric-eh), an old Norse word meaning "farthest outland."
Technically, "AMERICA" originally meant the area covered from Canada's northern-most regions to the southern tip of Argentina. Now, however, it refers to just the United States.

Answer 2

The word America comes from Vespucci Amerigo He was the one who mapped North and South America

Answer 3

Amerigo Vespucci

Answer 4

Amerigo Vespucci, Italian explorer.

Answer 5

It was named after a Welshman - Richard Ameryk in the early 20th century. FACT
His surname could not be pronounced by the americans , and this evolved to America
So your all wrong

Answer 6

It was named after a map maker, Amerigo Vespucci, who consolidated information about the new continents and put his name on the maps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerigo_Vespucci

Answer 7

Amerigo Vespucci or something like that

Answer 8

the guy who really discovered america's last name was ameriqua or something

Answer 9

Americo Vespuscio (in spanish)

Answer 10

it was Amerigo... i believe he drew the first complete map