How did new mexico get its name?

When the territories now comprising the states of Arizona and New Mexico were first explored by Spanish Conquistador Francisco Vazquez de Coronado in 1542, he reported his findings on such territories north of Mexico were a "New Mexico". read more

Quick Answer. New Mexico got its name from the Spanish "Nuevo Mexico," which was in reference to the upper regions of the Rio Grande. The Spaniards hoped the lands held the wealth of Mexico. read more

When the territories now comprising the states of Arizona and New Mexico were first explored by Spanish Conquistador Francisco Vazquez de Coronado in 1542, he reported his findings on such territories north of Mexico were a "New Mexico". Since then, these territories were named as the Territorios de Nuevo Mexico (Territories of New Mexico). read more

So the regional name of “Nuevo Mexico” started appearing on the earliest Spanish maps of the area. New Spain and New Mexico bordered each other for two hundred years. When New Spain declared their independence from Spain, they chose the name of Mexico as the name of their nation. read more