Since they don't speak Latin in Latin America, why would anyone speak English in English America?  Oh, they don't.  Soon the majority will speak Spanish in English America.  Maybe we should call it French America.  Then, we could speak English all we wanted.

Oh well.  Something tells me we're off topic a little. 

Have a Great Day,  Brent

Hola Juan!

Here is a more detailed explanation to what Metarinka is alluding to when he boldly claims that the word America actually originated from the Spanish which is NOT as clear as one might think... In fact, it is actually as CLEAR AS MUD!!! :) :) :) Btw, Amerigho Vespucci was Italian... In fact! he was born in Florence in 1454 where he was baptized, according to the official record, "Amerigho," and NOT "Alberigho" as Carew asserts!  And just like Columbus sailed for the Country of Spain, although Amerigho did switch to sail for the Country of Portugal and was the one who first discovered what is now known as Modern day Brazil... He in fact also became the first European to discover the Rio de la Plata and further south to Patagonia which is now both Uruguay and Argentina.

Enjoy this perspective:

http://www.fammed.sunysb.edu/surgery/america.html

Here's another perspective:

http://www.osia.org/documents/The_Origin_of_America_Sando_Bologna.pdf

Then of course there's the Wiki explanation also which skimps on validation in comparison of the various theories regarding the true origin of the Word AMERICA! ;) So, here's their take on the word:

http://www.fammed.sunysb.edu/surgery/america.html

Well if doesn't clarify the origin of the word America as it relates to the naming of both North and South America as well as The United States of America, just remember that it was Amerigho who first distinguished that the shores he discovered were in fact not Asia, but instead a truly "New World" or Continent totally not associated with another place that was until then previously discovered, navigated, or mapped!!! The first Map was drawn by a German Cartographer named Martin Waldseemuller who drew it with the very first use of the word "Amerighe", or "Americus."  Then there is another debate that the word actually originated from the Nicaraguan tribe known as the "Amerrique."

Specifically, Marcou introduced the name of an Indian tribe and of a district in Nicaragua called Amerrique, and asserted that this district — rich in gold — had been visited by both Columbus and Vespucci, who then made this name known in Europe (see Marcou's map). For both explorers the words Amerrique and gold became synonymous. Subsequently, according to Marcou's account, Vespucci changed his Christian name from Alberico to Amerigo.

Carew cites Marcou to back his claim that "in the archives of Toledo, a letter from Vespucci to the Cardinal dated December 9, 1508, is signed Amerrigo with the double 'r' as in the Indian Amerrique … and between 1508 and 1512, the year in which Vespucci died, at least two other signatures with the Christian name Amerrigo were recorded." (See Marcou's 1875 article in the Atlantic Monthly and his more elaborate work published subsequently in the Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution [1890].)

If you read the links in completely and not just glance through them, you should be able to come to your own conclusion as to which theory is closest to the truth!

Clear as mud eh? Yeah Right!!! :) :) :) Btw, I apologize for the hijack! ;)

Respectfully,
Henry