Latin American country names more often than not reflect the region’s blend of indigenous heritage, European exploration, and colonial administration. Some of the names honor explorers, while others derive from native languages. In some cases however, there are deep religious roots behind the origin of the names of some Latin American countries, especially in central America.
Origin of Colombia’s name
The name Colombia pays tribute to the Italian navigator Christopher Columbus, whose 1492 voyage under the Spanish crown opened the Americas to European exploration. Initially, “Colombia” was conceived as a poetic reference to all lands of the New World, collectively honoring Columbus’s role in their “discovery.”
The name first appeared in Venezuela in the late 18th century among intellectuals advocating for independence, as a way to unite Spanish America under a name free of Castilian monarchy connotations.
After independence in 1819, the new republic spanning modern-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama officially adopted the “Gran Colombia” (formally the Republic of Colombia) in 1886, solidifying the homage to Columbus in its national identity.
Origin of Latin America country names
Argentina
The name Argentina is derived from the Latin argentum “silver,” via the Italian adjective Argentina , meaning “silvery”. The name was first applied to the Rio de la Plata (“River of Silver”) by early European explorers in reference to legends of silver-rich lands. The name, in fact, appears on a Venetian map as early as 1536 and was later popularized in Martín del Barco Centenera’s 1602 epic poem La Argentina y conquista del Río de la Plata
Bolivia
The andean country was named in honor of Simón Bolívar, the Venezuelan military and political leader who played a key role in Latin America’s independence from Spain. The country adopted this name upon its independence in 1825 to recognize Bolívar’s contributions.
Brazil
The name Brazil comes from the brazilwood tree, once abundant along its coast and highly valued for the red dye extracted from its wood. Early Portuguese explorers named the land “Terra do Brasil.”
Chile
Like many other latin America country names, the name Chile is likely from the indigenous Mapuche word chili, meaning “where the land ends” or “the deepest point,” referring to the country’s long, narrow geography stretching to the Pacific’s end.
Costa Rica
Spanish for “Rich Coast,” the name was first coined by early Spanish explorers who believed the region held vast gold and other riches. This was not the case, as gold reserves in the region were not as abundant.
Cuba
The name Cuba comes from the Taíno indigenous word cubanacán, meaning “where fertile land is abundant” or “great place.” Spanish colonizers adopted the native name for the island when they first colonized it.
Dominican Republic
The DR takes its name from the Dominican Order of Catholic monks, who founded the capital, Santo Domingo, in 1496. The nation’s name reflects its colonial heritage and its capital’s patron saint, Saint Dominic.
Ecuador
Spanish for “Equator,” referencing the country’s location directly on the Earth’s equatorial line. The name was adopted upon independence from La Gran Colombia in 1830.
El Salvador
Spanish for “The Savior,” the name refers to Jesus Christ. Spanish settlers named the territory “Provincia de Nuestro Señor Jesús Cristo, El Salvador del Mundo” in the 16th century, and it was later shortened to El Salvador.
Guatemala
Guatemala comes from the Nahuatl word Quauhtlemallan, meaning “place of many trees” or “forest land,” used by the Nahua people who influenced the highland Maya. The Spanish adapted it to Guatemala.
Honduras
Honduras is Spanish for “depths000.” The country was named by Christopher Columbus in 1502 when he encountered the deep waters off its coast (“Honduras” meaning deep waters).
Mexico
The name Mexico comes from the Nahuatl Mēxihco, the name of the Aztec capital (now Mexico City). It likely means “place at the center of the Moon” or “navel of the Moon,” reflecting Aztec cosmology.
Nicaragua
It is thought that the name Nicaragua comes from the name of the indigenous chief Nicarao combined with the Spanish word agua (water), referring to the region’s lakes, or from Nahuatl Necalli, which means (place) and ahua (water).
Panama
Panama is believed to come from a native term meaning “abundance of fish” or “place of many butterflies.” Early Spanish settlers adopted the indigenous name for the isthmus.
Paraguay
From the Guaraní words para (water) and guay (born from or crowned), interpreted as “river that gives birth to the sea” or “crowned river,” referencing the Paraguay River.
Peru
It is thought that the name Peru is derived from the native name Birú or Pelú, used by early Spanish explorers to refer to the region around the Bay of San Miguel. The name expanded to cover the entire Viceroyalty and later the republic.
Puerto Rico
In Spanish, Puerto Rico means “Rich Port.” The island was named by Columbus in 1493 as “San Juan Bautista” for the island, while the main settlement was called Puerto Rico. The names were later swapped.
Uruguay
The name Uruguay comes from the Guaraní uruguá (river) -y (water), meaning “river of the painted birds” or “bird-river,” referring to the Río Uruguay and its wildlife.
Venezuela
In Italian, Venezuela means “Little Venice.” The name was first coined by Amerigo Vespucci when early explorers saw stilt houses along Lake Maracaibo and were reminded of Venice.