Amerigo Vespucci

Two continents bear his first name. Columbus found them first but thought he'd reached Asia. Vespucci figured out it was something else entirely. That's why it's America, not Columbia.

Sails under the Spanish flag along the coast of South America, reaching the Amazon River delta and the coast of present-day Brazil. He maps over 6,000 miles of coastline.

On a Portuguese expedition, he realizes Brazil isn't part of Asia. He writes: "I have found a continent in those southern parts more populous and more full of animals than our Europe, or Asia, or Africa." He calls it the "New World."

German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller labels the new continent "America" on his world map, Latinizing Vespucci's first name. Waldseemuller prints 1,000 copies. The name sticks. Vespucci may never know.

Appointed piloto mayor (chief navigator) of Spain by Ferdinand II. He's responsible for training all pilots sailing to the Americas and maintaining the official map of new discoveries.

Dies in Seville at 57, likely of malaria. He never commanded his own expedition, only served as navigator.