In Chanturia's dictionary, the archaic word "ამერი" [ameri] and its derivative adjective "amereli" used to mean "Eastern Georgian" (living east of the Likhi Pass). Are we sure that we know the true etymology of the word "America"?
Update:
The name Amerigo Vespucci has long been accepted as the origin of America, but historical records suggest that his original name was Alberico Vespucci.
1. The 1507 Book Title
The 1507 publication Mondo nuovo e paesi nuovamente retrovati da Alberico Vespuzio Florentino clearly refers to him as Alberico, not Amerigo. This suggests that the name Amerigo was adopted later, possibly in honor of America rather than the other way around.
2. Primary Sources Confirming "Alberico"
- Letter from Vespucci (1502–1503) to Lorenzo di Pier Francesco de’ Medici: "...Alberico Vespucci sends his warmest greetings..."
- Viaggi d’Amerigo Vespucci (1817) by Stanislao Canovai: "...navigazioni di Americo ó di Alberico Vespucci..."
- Letter of the Third Voyage (1894): "...Alberico Vesputio to Lorenzo Pietro di Medici, salutation..."
These sources indicate that Vespucci himself used "Alberico", yet later translations and historians consistently referred to him as Amerigo, possibly altering the historical narrative.
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