The name San Luis Potosí is composed of two parts with distinct and fascinating origins. To begin, the first part, “San Luis,” is given in honor of Saint Louis IX, the saint and King of France (born in Poissy in 1215 and who died in Tunis in 1270, due to the plague).
Son of King Louis VIII and Queen Blanche of Castile, Louis IX ascended to the throne in 1226 while still a child, so his mother ruled as regent. His mother’s profound religious influence led him to dedicate himself to Catholic principles.
Biographers of this monarch state that: “He brought a sense of justice and Catholic ethics to his politics. He extended justice to the jurisdictions of feudal lords. He created Crown inspectors to control the abuses of his officials. He eradicated duels. He fought gambling and prostitution. He minted currency and founded the Sorbonne University, among many other achievements.”
He participated in the last two crusades against Islam. In the first, he left the government to his mother while he lost his army in Egypt (1248-52). In the second, unfortunately, he died of the plague while attempting to convert the Sultan of Tunis.
Given his subordination to the Papacy and his obedience to the Catholic faith, Saint Louis IX was canonized in 1297 by Boniface VIII. This man of faith, full of qualities, however, also ordered the killing of thousands of men and expanded his territory by force of arms.
This was the saint chosen by the founders in 1592. The dedication to the saint is also due to the then Viceroy, Don Luis II de Velasco, and to one of the discoverers of gold and silver mines, Don Luis de Leija, which answers the query about the full name.
The Meaning of the Second Part of the Name
The second part of the name, “Potosí,” has an origin related to mining wealth. The first founding of what is this city now was carried out with Tlaxcalteca settlers in the current Plaza de Fundadores, where there was a spring. This happened on August 25, Saint Louis IX’s Day. Days later, on November 3, the official founding by the Spanish took place in the same location.
These settlements were initially organized into a Spanish villa and seven indigenous neighborhoods:
Tlaxcalilla (where the Tlaxcaltecas settled).
Santiago (where the Huachichiles settled).
San Cristóbal del Montecillo (Tlaxcaltecas).
Barrio de San Sebastián (assigned to Purépecha families).
San Miguelito (for Tlaxcalteca and Purépecha families).
San Juan de Guadalupe (Tlaxcaltecas).
Tequisquiapan (Tlaxcaltecas).
The Spanish villa was initially named “San Luis de Mesquitique,” and later “San Luis Real de Minas del Potosí.” The title of City was properly granted until 1650, by its first Mayor and Chief Justice, Don Juan de Oñate, who drew the city’s plan.
The Name Change to “Potosí” and its Meaning
It was during the viceroyalty of Don Francisco Fernández de la Cueva, Duke of Alburquerque, that the change from “Pueblo y Minas del Potosí” to city was granted on May 30, 1656. At this time, the name “Mesquitique” was changed to “Potosí.”
This change was made in reference to the vast wealth of the mines of Cerro de San Pedro, comparing them to the famous and rich mines of Potosí in Bolivia. Hence the complete meaning of its name: a combination of the tribute to King Saint Louis IX and the allusion to the great mining wealth, similar to that of Bolivian Potosí.
Thus, November 3 is an important day for the “potosinos,” as they celebrate the founding of their city (1593) in honor of a French king and a Bolivian mine.
What is this place Known For?
Beyond the meaning of the name and its rich history, the city is known today for its architectural beauty, its beautiful buildings, houses, and churches. And, according to our experience, the best thing about the city is the kindness with which we were treated by its people.
Introduction to the Meaning and Origin of the name of Guanajuato City
The beautiful Guanajuato City, a World Heritage Site, holds a rich history and deep meaning in its name.
Have you ever wondered what Guanajuato’s first name was or what GTO. means? Here you will delve into its fascinating toponymy and the historical origin that has shaped the identity of this iconic city throughout the centuries.
Meaning of Guanajuato City: Its Name and History
Chupícuaro Culture and the First Settlers
The first settlers of what we now know as our state in El Bajío were located to the south. They lived as hunter-gatherers along the banks of the Lerma River, where they began to cultivate corn, beans, and squash, adopting a semi-agricultural way of life. This is known as the Chupícuaro culture, a word derived from Purépecha meaning: “Blue Place.”
Their location was seven kilometers from present-day Acámbaro and Tarandacuao. They developed the molcajete for grinding corn and made pottery of various sizes, demonstrating their knowledge of mud firing. In addition to cultivating, they fished and gathered wild fruits and plants from the region. They built dwellings (stone huts with mud floors), which marked their transition from nomads to semi-nomads and, finally, to sedentary people. In their period of greatest development, the Chupícuaro people built oval pyramids.
Pre-Hispanic Names and their Toponymy
The Chichimecas, the first to settle in the northern region, called it Mo – o – ti, meaning “place of metals.” Meanwhile, the Purépechas – Chupícuaros from the south named it Kuanasiuatu, a name derived from kuanasi (frog) and uata (hill), words that in the Purépecha language mean: “Mountainous place of Frogs” or “Frog Hill.” Later, the Mexicas named this region Paxtitlán, “Place of Straw.”
El Bajío is a region of Mexico that includes parts of the states of Guanajuato, Querétaro, Los Altos de Jalisco, and Aguascalientes. The name and meaning of Gto. are deeply linked to Paxtitlán, “place of frogs,” which is why many of its handicrafts depict these amphibians (from the Greek ANUROS) or batrachians.
Invasions and Indigenous Resistance in Guanajuato City
The Purépechas and Tarascos, settled in the south of what is now the state, lived under the constant threat of invasions by semi-savage tribes with their own customs, languages, and religions. Regardless of whether they were Guamares, Cazcanes, Pames, or Guachichiles, the danger of robberies, murders, and rapes was a daily reality for the first inhabitants of these “hills full of frogs.”
The Spanish Castilianized the northern groups as “Chichimecas,” a term that encompassed all peoples living from the Lerma River to the northernmost part of Aridoamerica.
The first inhabitants of the territory where the capital city is located called themselves “Guamares.” They wore long hair and, unlike other nomadic tribes, the Guamares and Pames used materials to cover their genitals; women wore animal skins as skirts, leaving the rest uncovered. Unlike other Chichimeca tribes, the Guamares built round huts with straw. Regarding their worship, they adored the stars, rain, and nature in general. They knew the properties of some plants and consumed them in rituals, with peyote being a sacred plant that turned them into fierce warriors.
Scope of the Chupícuaro Culture
The Chupícuaro culture also encompassed parts of the State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Colima, Nayarit, Guerrero, and Michoacán, forming what archaeologist Beatriz Braniff called “the Chupícuaro Tradition.” Furthermore, the Guanajuato region occupied by this culture received influences from other important civilizations:
That of Los Morales from the Upper Preclassic (400 BC – 250 BC).
Teotihuacán, from the Classic Horizon (200 AD – 900 AD).
Toltec from the Early Postclassic (900 AD – 1200 AD).
Purépecha, from the Late Postclassic (1200 AD – 1525 AD).
In 1522, Cristóbal de Olid’s expedition arrived at what is now known as Yuririapúndaro and Pénjamo, finding the territory occupied by the Chichimeca tribe in the central and northern parts, and by the Purépecha tribe in the southwest.
Real de Minas de Guanajuato: The Origin of the City
It is important to note that small Chichimeca groups primarily occupied a site in the canyon called Paxtitlán, but it was the Tarascan – Purépecha Indians who baptized this place as Quanaxhuato, meaning “mountainous place of frogs.”
The capital city would not have emerged without the discovery of silver veins in the Mina de Rayas and Mellado, which led to the first settlements and transformed the place into a small village.
By 1574, this town in El Bajío already existed as a major alcaldía. However, it was not until 1741 that it received the title of Ciudad Santa Fe y Real de Minas de Guanajuato from King Philip V.
In the 18th century, the city’s mining opulence was evident. Large buildings were constructed on Calle Real, which has since been the city’s main thoroughfare and where the first constructions were erected. Mining grew considerably, giving rise to other mines such as La Mina de Cata, Valenciana, Bocamina San Ramón, among others.
From Village to Capital City: The Evolution
In 1576, the Villa de León was founded with the aim of counteracting indigenous incursions.
In 1590, La Villa de San Luis de la Paz was founded to celebrate the peace treaty between the Spanish authorities and the Chichimeca tribe.
The regional boom in mining in the 18th century led to the construction of notable civil and religious buildings in the capital city and other towns, magnificent examples of Baroque and Churrigueresque architecture.
By the year 1741, the capital city was granted the title of Villa de Santa Fe y Real de Minas de Guanajuato, with the right to use a coat of arms.
Evolution of the name Guanajuato
The history and evolution of the name Guanajuato are as rich as its silver veins.
In 1741, by order of King Philip V of Spain, it was granted the category of “Most Noble and Loyal City of Santa Fe and Royal Mines of Guanajuato,” with the arrival of the first mayor, Preafán de Rivera y Gómez.
Years earlier, on October 26, 1679, by decree of Viceroy Enrique de Rivera, it had received the title of Villa, adopting the name “Villa de Santa Fe y Real de Minas de Guanajuato.” By 1790, the growing population was already declared an intendancy.
Spanish colonization in this area spread through land grants. Rodrigo Vázquez received properties for mining exploitation, while Andrés López de Céspedes and Juanes de Garnica obtained cattle ranches, laying the foundations for the region’s settlement and development.
Indigenous Resistance and Foundation of Guanajuato
The Chichimecas: Guardians of the Territory
A fundamental aspect of Guanajuato’s history is the resistance of its original inhabitants. The Chichimecas of the region never submitted to Spanish authority, and their constant assaults on newly established settlements were a force to be reckoned with.
To protect the valuable mining activities, four key forts were built: Santiago, Santa Ana, Santa Fe, and Tepetapa, which over time would evolve into the neighborhoods we know today.
The fort of Real de Santa Fe, being the most prosperous, was established as the head of the other three and was crucial for the definitive settlement of the capital city in 1554.
Under the orders of Philip II, the distribution of houses was carried out irregularly and on different levels, giving rise to the famous alleys, passages, tunnels, squares, and corridors that characterize the capital of El Bajío.
In 1679, by mandate of Charles II, the iconic Plaza Mayor of the Villa was established with land ceded by the colonizing residents.
Among the first religious constructions, the parish of Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato stands out, with its distinctive yellow color, and the first convent, San Diego de Alcalá, located next to the renowned Teatro Juárez.
The Mining Wealth and its Impact on Guanajuato’s Development
Gold and Silver: Pillars of Guanajuato’s Opulence
Guanajuato was not only an important city due to its settlement; it was an economic powerhouse. During the 17th century, this region consolidated its position as the world’s leading silver producer, surpassing other mining centers like Zacatecas, Fresnillo, and San Luis Potosí. This immense mineral wealth, derived from the exploitation of gold and silver, propelled unprecedented development in the city.
The opulence achieved in the 18th century manifested itself impressively in its civil and religious architecture. Notable examples include the first chapel blessed in 1555, belonging to the Hospital de los Indios Otomíes, and the oratory of the Colegio de Compañía de Jesús, founded around 1589 and located next to the University of Guanajuato.
By 1810, this historic city, driven by its imposing mines, extracted a quarter of the world’s silver production, a milestone that cemented its global relevance.
From the Colonial Era to Independent Mexico: The Consolidation of Guanajuato
With the arrival of independent Mexico and the promulgation of the first Mexican Constitution in 1824, during the First Federal Republic, the city was elevated to a new status: it became the Capital City of the Free and Sovereign State of Guanajuato, thus consolidating its preeminent place in the new nation.
The evolution of the Bajío state has been remarkable. From indigenous settlements to these modern times when even the Virtual University of the State of Guanajuato (Uveg) exists, from which my wife Jéssica graduated as an Engineer in Information Technology Management.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the name Guanajuato
What was the first name of Guanajuato?
The first official recorded name, in its villa category, was “Villa de Santa Fe y Real de Minas de Guanajuato,” granted in 1679. Subsequently, in 1741, it received the category of “Most Noble and Loyal City of Santa Fe y Real de Minas de Guanajuato.”
What does Guanajuato (GTO meaning) mean?
The meaning of Guanajuato comes from the Purépecha “Quanaxhuato,” which means “Mountainous place of frogs” or “Place where frogs abound.” Abbreviations like GTO. commonly refer to the state or city of Guanajuato.
What is toponymy?
The toponymy of Guanajuato refers to the study of the origin and meaning of its name. This name has pre-Hispanic (Purépecha) roots and has evolved throughout the colonial and modern history of Mexico, reflecting its geography and mining history.
The Back Bone (Not “Homoplato”) | Definition & Anatomy
If you’re searching for ‘homoplato’ or ‘omóplato’, you’ve come to the right place. The correct term for this back bone is the scapula, also widely known as the shoulder blade.
Here, we’ll explain what the scapula is, its key functions, and why confusion with terms like “homoplato” is so common.
The Real Shoulder Blade of the Back
The shoulder blade is the flat, triangular bone located in the upper back, behind the shoulder. It’s sometimes informally called a “wing bone” or “chicken wing” due to its shape.
Its primary function is to connect the arm to the torso, enabling a wide range of shoulder movements. It’s a fundamental part of human anatomy.
In Spanish, the correct term is “omóplato” (without an initial ‘h’).
The Spanish word ‘omóplato’ comes from the Greek ‘omos’ (shoulder) and ‘platys’ (wide/flat), hence its description. You can verify its precise definition in the RAE dictionary.
The SEP’s Error: When “Homoplato” Slipped into Textbooks
A notable fact is that the term “homoplato” (with an initial ‘h’) appeared in some free textbooks from Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Education (SEP), specifically in the Third Grade Natural Sciences textbook (Block I, page 14 in certain editions). I even took photos as evidence of this serious editorial oversight.
The correct spelling is ‘omóplato’, even if the SEP published otherwise. Errors in their free textbooks.
This error caused confusion and was widely noted, as the correct and recognized form in both anatomy and the Spanish language is “omóplato”. Such typos highlight the importance of careful review in educational materials.
Similar Words That Do Exist
While “omóplato con h” (homoplato) is not a valid word, the prefix “homo-” (meaning ‘same’ or ‘similar’) is correctly used in many other words. For example:
Homonym: Words that sound or are spelled the same but have different meanings (e.g., “hi” and “high”).
Homogeneous: Having the same nature or composition.
It’s important to differentiate these valid words from the incorrect use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you spell “omóplato”? It’s spelled “omóplato” in Spanish, without an initial “h”.
What bone is the “omóplato”? The “omóplato” is the flat, triangular bone located in the upper back, just behind the shoulder. It is also known as shoulder blade.
What is the function of the “omóplato”? The “omóplato” connects the arm to the torso, allowing for a wide range of shoulder and arm movements for various actions.
How do you say “omóplato” in English?
In English, the “omóplato” is commonly known as the shoulder blade.
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Latonería: What It Is, How Brass Is Worked, and Its True Meaning
—or the art of shaping tin sheets…
🔨 Looking for a “latonería” workshop?
Latonería (or hojalatería) is the craft of working with brass (copper + zinc alloy) and tinplate (steel coated with tin). Here’s everything you need to know —including the story behind my brass angel (pictured above), bought at the León Fair in Guanajuato, Mexico.
📚 What does the Royal Spanish Academy say?
“latonería (from lata, ‘tin’):
A collection of food cans.
In Andalucia and Latin America: hojalatería (tinsmithing).”
So, latonería is where tin and brass are crafted. My angel? Born in a latonería.
🛠️ What is latonería? Definition and uses
It’s the traditional craft of shaping brass and tinplate into:
Decor: Angels, crosses, candlesticks.
Utensils: Pots, pitchers, baking molds.
Tools: Funnels, gutters.
Architecture: Roof ornaments, weathervanes.
🔧 How it’s done:
Cutting: With tinsmith’s shears.
Shaping: Hammered over anvils.
Soldering: Joined with tin.
Polishing: Buffed to a shine.
🌎 History and tradition
A colonial-era craft in Latin America.
In Spain, linked to lanterns.
Today, a dying art —except in places like Zacatecas, Mexico, where it’s used for religious ex-votos.
Why do people confuse latonería with lataría?
(Or: How I spent years arguing with my mom over grammar)
The RAE defines latir (“to beat,” like a heart) but notlater —yet 99% of Spanish speakers say “me latería” instead of “me latiría.”
⚔️ The Great Debate:
My mom (Team Grammar):“It’s ‘latiría’! ‘Later’ isn’t even a verb!”
Me (Team Real World):“But 117,000 Google results say ‘latería’! Language evolves!”
💡 The verdict?
Like latonería reshapes metal, speakers reshape language. The RAE eventually accepts popular usage (e.g., “okupar” with a *k*, “bloguero”). So, will “latería” stick? Stay tuned.
🎭 A linguistic rollercoaster
From “cantinflear” (to babble nonsense) to “googlear” (to Google), the RAE resists —then surrenders. My favorite?
“okupar (with a *k*, because rebellion): To squat in an empty building.”
Moral? If millions say “latería,” it’ll say latir in the dictionary someday. Until then: ¡Inguesú! (Also not RAE-approved.)
