What Was The Original Name of North Carolina?

The Province of Carolina

Before it was a state, the region was officially known as the Province of Carolina.

• A Royal Grant: In 1663, King Charles II of England granted a massive expanse of land south of Virginia to eight loyal supporters, who became known as the Lords Proprietors.
• The Naming: This new, unified territory was named "Carolina" in honor of the King's late father, King Charles I. The name is derived from "Carolus," the Latin form of Charles.

The Split: Becoming "North" and "South"

For several decades, the Province of Carolina was governed as a single entity. However, the vastness of the territory made it incredibly difficult to manage from its southern hub in Charles Town (modern-day Charleston).

• Distinct Identities: The northern and southern settlements began to develop their own distinct economic and social identities.
• The Official Division: Due to these administrative challenges, the Lords Proprietors officially divided the massive colony in 1712, creating the Province of North Carolina and the Province of South Carolina.

From Province to State:

The Province of North Carolina played a crucial role in the American Revolution, declaring its independence from British rule. On November 21, 1789, it became the 12th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, formally joining the new nation and solidifying its identity as the state of North Carolina.

So, what was North Carolina's original name? It was simply "Carolina," as part of the vast Province of Carolina chartered in 1663. The name "North Carolina" only came into official use after 1712, when the practical challenges of governing the massive territory led to its formal division into two separate colonies.

Sources:

• North Carolina Office of Archives and History
• The State Library of North Carolina
• Encyclopedia Britannica
• Historical accounts of the Lords Proprietors and the Carolina Charter
• U.S. National Archives