Was New Mexico Named Before Mexico?
The name “New Mexico” has intrigued many historians and geographers for years. One of the most intriguing questions surrounding this topic is whether New Mexico was named before Mexico. To understand the historical context and the origin of the names, we must delve into the past and explore the events that led to the naming of these regions.
The region that is now known as New Mexico was initially inhabited by various Native American tribes long before the arrival of Europeans. The Spanish, who first reached the area in the 16th century, were the first to officially name the region. In 1598, the Spanish explorer Don Juan de Oñate established the colony of Santa Fe de Nuevo México, which translates to “New Mexico of the Holy Faith.” This name was given to distinguish the colony from the existing Spanish territory of Mexico, which was named after the Aztec Empire.
The name “Mexico” itself has an interesting history. It is derived from the Nahuatl word “墨西加,” which means “navel” or “center.” The Aztecs believed that their city of Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City, was located at the center of the world. Therefore, they named their empire after their capital city, which was also called Mexico.
Considering this information, it seems that New Mexico was indeed named before Mexico. The Spanish named the region “New Mexico” to differentiate it from their existing territory of Mexico. However, the name “Mexico” predates the name “New Mexico” by several centuries, as it was given to the Aztec Empire by the Spanish conquistadors.
The naming of New Mexico and Mexico highlights the complex relationship between European colonization and the indigenous populations of the Americas. The Spanish sought to establish a new world for themselves, and in doing so, they imposed their own names and cultural identities on the lands and peoples they encountered.
In conclusion, while the name “New Mexico” was given by the Spanish to distinguish their colony from the existing territory of Mexico, the name “Mexico” itself has a much older origin. The naming of these regions reflects the historical interactions between European colonizers and the indigenous populations of the Americas. Whether or not New Mexico was named before Mexico, the names themselves serve as a reminder of the rich and complex history of the region.
