The Naming of America (2023)
An essay on the origin of the name “America” prompts readers to trace how the term evolved from early European usage to its modern association almost exclusively with the United States. Commenters explore competing naming conventions for the continents (one “America” versus “the Americas”), the perceived appropriation of “American” as a demonym by U.S. citizens, and parallels with other contested labels such as “Latino,” “African-American,” and “Native American.” The thread highlights how geographic names, ethnic terms, and national identities are historically contingent, politically loaded, and often at odds across languages and cultures.
Dating and Nature of the Essay
- Commenters try to pin down when the essay was written:
- Early versions appeared in 1988 and 1991; Google Scholar lists 1988.
- The author’s publication list ties a very similar essay to a 2023 magazine piece.
- Internal references go up to 2001 and to a 2016 dictionary edition, suggesting incremental updates over decades.
- Consensus: it functions like an encyclopedia entry, originating in the late ’80s/early ’90s but later revised.
“America” as Country vs. Continent
- Major thread on how different cultures use “America”:
- In much of Latin America, “America” is a single continent; calling only US citizens “Americans” is seen by some as exclusionary.
- In Anglophone countries, “North” and “South America” are distinct; “the Americas” is the continental collective, and “America” is the US.
- Some argue it’s simply the country’s name; others see a “main character” attitude from the US.
- Alternative demonyms:
- “USian” is proposed and occasionally used online.
- Spanish “estadounidense” (“Unitedstatian”) is cited as a precise term, but noted as awkward in English.
Demonyms, Identity Labels, and “Hyphenated Americans”
- Debate over terms like Latino/Hispanic, African-American, Native American vs. Indian:
- Several comments stress that many of these labels were chosen or preferred by the communities themselves, not imposed.
- Others counter that some shifts (e.g., “African-American”) were elite or outsider-driven and never fully embraced.
- Polls are cited within the thread that many Black people prefer “Black,” and that pan-ethnic labels are often tools for bureaucrats.
- Some claim hyphenated labels are used to seek special treatment; others reject this as cynical and inaccurate.
Comparative Naming Disputes
- Analogies to other places:
- UK vs. England vs. Britain; Netherlands vs. Holland; differing exonyms like Londres/London.
- Used to argue that divergent naming conventions across languages are normal and not inherently offensive.
America Vespucci Story
- Commenters dig up 19th‑century sources:
- She petitioned the US Congress for a land grant as a Vespucci descendant; the Senate declined on legal/precedent grounds.
- Politicians and elites then raised private funds for her to buy land; one account says she refused the money because it wasn’t a “national gift” and returned to Europe.
Alternative Discovery Theories and Rigor
- Some critique the essay’s rigor in etymological sections and its mention of a speculative “black African discovery” of America:
- Phrases like “it has been argued” are seen by some as weaselly if evidence is weak.
- Others defend mentioning fringe theories as context, noting the essay explicitly warns that many origin stories are speculative and agenda-driven.
- Polynesian contact with the Americas is noted as more plausible and supported than African-contact claims.