Today we're looking at the etymology of "California," examining various theories about its origin.

The most widely accepted theory links the name to Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo's 16th-century novel, Las sergas de Esplandián, which features a fictional island called California. Alternative hypotheses, including derivations from Arabic, Greek, and indigenous languages, are also discussed but considered less plausible.

The article we're citing traces the application of the name from the Baja California Peninsula to its modern usage encompassing both the US state and Mexican states. Finally, it examines the potential influence of the Song of Roland on Montalvo's naming choice.

#etymology #linguistics #california

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The name "California" has been shaped by a variety of linguistic and cultural influences, including:

• Spanish Romance Novels: The most widely accepted origin of the name "California" comes from the 16th-century Spanish romance novel, Las Sergas de Esplandián, by Garcí Rodríguez de Montalvo. The novel describes a mythical island called California, ruled by Queen Calafia and inhabited by black women warriors.

• Arabic Language: Montalvo is thought to have derived the name "California" from the Arabic word "Khalif" or "Khalifa," meaning "successor" or leader of the Muslims. This is fitting as Montalvo's novel was a rehash of the struggle between Christians and Muslims. The word "califa," meaning leader of an Islamic community, may also have been in Montalvo's mind.

• Old French Epic Poetry: The name "Califerne" from the 11th-century Old French epic poem The Song of Roland is considered a possible inspiration for the name "California". The Song of Roland mentions "Califerne" as one of the lands opposing Charlemagne's Christian kingdom.

• Geographic and Cultural Context: The term "Barbary," associated with the Berber people of North Africa, connects to the origin of the name "California" through the fortified city of "Kalaa-Ifrene" or "Kal-Ifrene," mentioned in relation to the Song of Roland. This city was a stronghold in the 11th century, and the term "Barbary" was also used by sailors to describe a dangerous red light district in San Francisco in the 19th century.

Other theories about the origins of the name "California," such as those from Latin or Spanish phrases for "hot furnace" (calida fornax or caliente horno), an indigenous word meaning "high hill," or the place name "Calahorra" in Spain, are considered less compelling than the connection to Las Sergas de Esplandián.

The name "California" has its roots in a fictional story, influenced by Arabic, Old French, and geographic cultures, and it was applied to the real world when Spanish explorers believed the Baja California peninsula to be the island described in Montalvo's novel. The name stuck and is now associated with areas of the southwest United States and northwest Mexico. The story of the mythical island of California resonated with people and foreshadowed the Gold Rush, which propelled the idea of the California dream.

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