Toponymy, the inseparable link between Spanish and the United States

The naming of several states and a multitude of cities and towns reflects how important the legacy of Spain in the United States is, as it brings to light the origins of each of those territories.

For example, as detailed by The Hispanic Council in a report entitled Hispanic Heritage and Spanish in U.S. Toponymy, there are eight states whose names come directly from Spanish: California, Colorado, Florida, Florida, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. Also the District of Columbia. For example, Juan Ponce de León named Florida after the state's vegetation. Montana comes from the state's mountain range, and Texas, whose designation derives from the adoption into Spanish of the native word taysha.

There are two other states about which there are theories that its name also has its origin in Spanish: Arizona and Oregon. The Hispanic Council remarks of the former that its name comes from the Latin expression ali sonak or "little spring," adopted by the Spaniards who arrived in Arizona. As for Oregon, it is believed that it derives from the word "orejon" or "oregano," a spice grown in the state.

To all of the above must be added three territories associated with the United States with a name derived from the Spanish: Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico.

As for lower territorial divisions, one out of every two states has some county within its borders with a name linked to Spanish. California, New Mexico and Arizona are the states with the most Spanish-denominated counties.

And as for cities and towns, all but four states have at least one municipality with a Spanish or Spanish related name.