Tuesday Tidbits: WHERE DID AMERICA COME FROM?

Before they were called North, Central, and South America (often shortened to the Americas), the American continents were referred to as the New World. But where did the name America come from? Who named the New World continents America?

I thought there would be a straightforward easy answer, but there doesn’t seem to be a definitive story behind the name. I came a cross four different versions. Here they are:

1) The Map Maker

In 1499, navigator Amerigo Vespucci made the first of two or more trips to what would eventually be known as the Americas. He was the first to realize that this was a new continent and not the coast of Asia. He called this place Novus Mundus, “The New World” and thus coining this term.

Colorized Version Of Waldseemüller's Map of the Americas.
The Americas are the skinny ones to the left.

Martin Waldseemüller, a cartographer, made one of the first maps of the New World in 1507. He had the mistaken impression that Amerigo Vespucci had discovered this New World and named it after him. He translated Amerigo into the latin Amerigus and then into the feminine America. Some time later when Waldseemüller realized his mistake, he removed Vespucci’s name from the maps, but by then it was too late. The New World was already known as America.

2) The Wealthy Patron

The MATTHEW Ship mostly funded by Richard Amerike.

Richard Amerike, descendant of English earls, rose in status and became very wealthy. He provided more money to build a ship for John Cabot’s proposed voyage. For his patronage, Amerike asked that any new found land be named after him. Cabot sailed in May of 1497 and landed on a “New Found Land” thirty-four days later. It’s not a far leap from Amerike to America.

3) The Popol Vuh

Page from the original written Popol Vuh

Both Columbus and Vespucci agreed that the New World was more thickly populated than Europe, Asia, or Africa before they each arrived. So, it makes sense that the inhabitants would have named the land in which they lived. The Popol Vuh is a written record from an oral history and mythology of the Mayan, Inca, and Aztecs. These peoples worshiped the plumed serpent the Incas called this god Amaru. They called their land Amruca which is literally translated “The Land of the Plumed Serpent.” Amruca is very closely pronounced like America. 

4) The Star

And yet another theory is that America is named after a star. Beta Ursae Majoris, formerly known as Merak, which is an AM star (a metal-lined star). Does the person who thought up this theory think that the “AM” and “Merak” were combined? As in “AM-Merak” star? I don’t know.

So what do you think? Which version do you think is the right one? Have you heard of any others?

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THIMBLES AND THREADS: 4 Love Stories Are Quilted Into Broken Lives

Love Stitched into Four Women’s Lives
Enjoy four historical romances that celebrate the arts of sewing and quilting. When four women put needle and thread to fabric, will their talents lead to love? #thimblesandthreadscollection
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“Bygones” by Mary Davis
Texas, 1884
Drawn to the new orphan boy in town, Tilly Rockford soon became the unfortunate victim of a lot of Orion Dunbar’s mischievous deeds in school. Can Tilly figure out how to truly forgive the one who made her childhood unbearable? Now she doesn’t even know she holds his heart. Can this deviant orphan-train boy turned man make up for the misdeeds of his youth and win Tilly’s heart before another man steals her away?

Other stories in this collection:
“The Bridal Shop” by Grace Hitchcock, “Mending Sarah’s Heart” by Suzanne Norquist, and “Binding Up Wounds” by Liz Tolsma


THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT (Book 2 in the Quilting Circle series)
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Can a patient love win her heart?

As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. While making a quilt for her own hope chest, Isabelle’s half-sister becomes pregnant out of wedlock and Isabelle--always the unfavored daughter--becomes the family sacrifice to save face. Despite gaining the attention of a handsome rancher, her parents are pressuring her to marry a man of their choosing to rescue her sister’s reputation. A third suitor waits silently in the wings, hoping for his own chance at love. Isabelle ends up with three marriage proposals, but this only further confuses her decision.

A handsome rancher, a stranger, and an unseen suitor are all waiting for an answer.  Isabelle loves her sister, but will she really allow herself to be manipulated into a marriage without love? Will Isabelle capitulate and marry the man her parents wish her to, or will she rebel and marry the man they don’t approve of? Or will the man leaving her secret love poems sweep her off her feet?

HEARTBEATS IN TIME – 5 books of Old West Christian Romance (4 novels and 4 novellas) by 7 bestselling, award-winning authors, including my book, The Widow’s Plight. You'll love these 8 unique stories of love! Get it here: https://amzn.to/2VzRBoI

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The Widow’s Plight (Book 1 in the Quilting Circle series) by Mary Davis
A single mother steps out of the shadows of abuse and into the sunshine. But will a secret clouding her past cost her the man she loves?
Finding Love In Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell
Dreams of My Heart by Barbara Scott
Hills of Nevermore by Janalyn Voigt
Heart of a Cowboy Novella Collection--four Old West romances by Susan Page Davis, Miralee Ferrell, Yvonne Lehman, and Vickie McDonough

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MARY DAVIS s a bestselling, award-winning novelist of over two dozen titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her 2018 titles include; "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection (January), Courting Her Amish Heart (March), The Widow’s Plight (July), Courting Her Secret Heart (September), “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection (December), and Courting Her Prodigal Heart (January 2019). Coming in 2019, The Daughter's Predicament (May) and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads (July). She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of over thirty-four years and two cats. She has three adult children and two incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:

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