Etymology

The name Philippines is derived from that of King Philip II of Spain. Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos during his expedition in 1542 named the islands of Leyte and Samar Felipinas after the then Prince of Asturias (Spain). Eventually the later colony comprising all its islands would be calledLas Islas Filipinas although for a time the islands would continue to be referred to by the Spanish by other names such as Islas del Poniente (Islands of the West) and Magellan’s name for the islands San Lázaro.

The official name of the Philippines changed throughout the course of its history. During thePhilippine Revolution, it was officially called República Filipina or the Philippine Republic. From the period of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War until the Commonwealthperiod, American colonial authorities referred to the country as the Philippine Islands, a translation of the Spanish name. It was during the American period that the name Philippines began to appear, a name that has become its common name.