Why is rhode island called rhode island?

Rhode Island's full, legal name is the "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations". The "Providence Plantations" part is pretty easy to figure out, as it was Roger Williams' original colony that grew from the mainland city of Providence. read more

Rhode Island (/ ˌ r oʊ d-/ ( listen)), officially the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest in area, the 7th least populous, and the 2nd most densely populated of the 50 states—but its official name is the longest. read more