The name "Nevada" comes from the Spanish word "nevada," which means "snow-covered."
Meaning
The name Nevada aptly describes the state's unique geography, which is characterized by vast deserts and towering mountains capped with snow.
Origin
1. Spanish Explorers
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into the present-day southwestern United States.
His expedition encountered Native American tribes who referred to the region as "sierra nevada," meaning "snow-covered mountains."
2. Silver Rush
In 1859, the discovery of silver in the Comstock Lode in western Nevada led to a rapid influx of miners and settlers.
These newcomers adopted the name "Nevada Territory" for the newly established political entity, which officially became the 36th state in 1864.
Additional Historical Context
The Native American tribes that inhabited Nevada before the arrival of Europeans had their own names for the region. However, these names were not widely adopted by non-native speakers.
The Spanish name "Nevada" was first applied to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, which borders Nevada to the west.
The name was later extended to include the present-day state of Nevada, due to its similar mountainous terrain.
