Where did Rhode Island get its name?

Giovanni da Verrazzano gave Rhode Island its name in 1524. He called the region Rhode Island because it reminded him of the island of Rhodes in the Mediterranean.

In 1524, da Verrazzano wrote a letter that referred to Block Island as a variation of the name Rhode Island. After that letter, the next recorded usage of the name came in 1637 when Roger Williams wrote a letter calling the area "Rode Island" At that time, Rode Island in Greek was an "isle of Roses."

The name for the state was officially adopted in 1644, and the "Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" was made official by King Charles II.