Originally Posted By: Andrew Robinson


Since writing that, I have come across claims that America is more likely named after Richard Americke, a sponsor of John Cabot's voyage of annexation http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/tudors/americaname_03.shtml


Dave Wilton, of wordorigins.org, has some things to say about the Americke (or Ameryk. Spelling, even of names, hadn't quite jelled in those days) hypothesis. They may lead you to other sources, if you're interested in pursuing the matter.