How the United States of America Got Its Name

Across North America, the United States of America, a nation of 50 states, stretches from Alaska’s rugged wilderness to Hawaii’s tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean. With a staggering GDP of over $25 trillion, the United States stands as the world’s largest and most prosperous economy, shaping global events for centuries. The services sector, powered by tech giants, financial hubs, and innovative healthcare, drives the country’s prosperity, accounting for around 80% of its total output. With a vast landmass ranking fourth globally, the United States boasts breathtaking landscapes and a rich, diverse history.

But have you ever wondered how this great nation got its name? A country’s name often tells a story about its tribe, geography, or notable people. For example, the Latin name for France comes from the word “Francia,” meaning “land of the Franks,” which refers to the vast empire that stretched from southern France to Eastern Germany. England’s name is derived from the Old English word “Englaland,” meaning “land of the Angles,” a Germanic tribe that settled in Great Britain during the Early Middle Ages.

Unlike these nations, which acquired their names from ancestral ties or geographical features, the United States took a distinct path. Although lacking the usual poetic significance, the United States chose a simple name that is worthy of the title. This article explores the fascinating story of how the United States adopted its name and why it was selected over alternative options at the time.

How the United States was Named

Before the American Revolution, the territory now known as the United States was referred to by British colonial rulers as British North America or simply as part of their colonies. During this pre-independence period, British officials often used the term “the United Colonies of North America” to govern various regions.

The name “America” itself originates from the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, and was used to describe the continent. As tensions rose before independence, alternative names emerged. Thomas Jefferson is credited with coining the phrase “United States of America” during the American Revolution, which gained formal recognition when John Hancock endorsed it in late 1776, cementing the nation’s identity.

The name “United States” gained widespread acceptance through informal usage, although Benjamin Franklin notably used “United States of North America” in his correspondence with the French. The United States of America was officially named on September 9, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress. As history shows, renaming a country can be contentious, and the United States was no exception, facing resistance to its name change.

The public’s response to the new name was divided, with some opposing it for lacking the poetic and descriptive qualities they felt a country in the Americas deserved. They argued that a name change was unnecessary, as the United States had already gained traction. Some advocated for renaming the country Columbia, in honor of Christopher Columbus. However, the ratification of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, formally designated the United States of America as the nation’s name, effectively settling the debate over alternative names.

Fredonia

In 1819, the possibility of renaming the United States arose once more. However, the option of “Columbia” was no longer viable, as another country had already adopted it. Instead, a new proposal emerged: “Fredonia,” a name derived from the word “freedom” with a Latin twist, likely inspired by the country’s proximity to Latin American nations. The brainchild behind this proposed name change was Samuel Latham Mitchill, a prominent American medical educator.

Samuel Latham Mitchill argued that the US Constitution’s framers had failed to provide a proper name for the country. He believed “United States” was a dull and uninspired representation of national identity, partly because it didn’t lend itself to a clear nationality (e.g., “United Statesian”). Mitchill proposed renaming the country Fredon or, in its more poetic form, Fredonia. This would result in citizens being referred to as Fredonians or Fredes, with the adverbial form being Fredish. Mitchill enthusiastically declared that the name Fredonia and its associated terminology would be “sonorous,” yielding a language that was “rich and copious.”

Mitchill’s proposal was controversial among some Americans, but ultimately failed to gain traction. US senators dismissed the idea of renaming the country Fredonia after the majority opposed the name change. The proposal was subsequently relegated to a footnote in American history books, leaving the nation’s name unchanged. The United States eventually became the countries final name, distinguishing it from the colonial past. Its usage in early diplomacy solidified its position.

Alternative names like Columbia and Fredonia were considered, but the name United States had become deeply ingrained in the lives of its citizens. With Colombia adopting a similar name, the momentum for change dissipated, and the United States remained the official name.

The name “United States” may have lacked poetic flair, but it accurately reflected the country’s emergence as a unified nation, forged through early struggles for independence and later strengthened by its resilience in the face of challenges like the Civil War.

Source

Boonshoft, M 2015, ‘The United States of Fredonia?‘, New York Public Library, 12 November, accessed 4 January 2024, https://www.nypl.org/blog/2015/11/12/united-states-fredonia

Photo by David Everett Strickler on Unsplash

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