The Truth Behind the Catholic Saints' Naming of California Cities

When it comes to the naming of cities in California, like San Francisco and San Diego, many believe these names are derived from Spanish friars. However, the story behind these city names is actually quite different. The truth is that these cities are named after Catholic saints, not friars, with these saints having been canonized as saints by the Catholic Church.

The Role of Junípero Serra

One of the most often mentioned individuals in relation to these city names is Junípero Serra. Although he has a significant presence in California, Serra was the only Friar involved with Spanish California to have been sainted. There are a lot of streets named after him, but no cities bear his name. He was only recently sainted and is not particularly revered by Californians nowadays.

Understanding the Spanish Naming Conventions

A common misconception arises because Spanish is a highly gendered language. The word "San" is a male form, meaning "Saint," while "Santa" is the female form. These names are in fact the names of saints. Let’s break down some of these names:

San Francisco: Saint Francis, as in St. Francis of Assisi. San Jose: Saint Joseph. San Pedro: Saint Peter. San Juan Capistrano: Saint John of Capistrano. Santa Clara: Saint Clara.

Some of these saints are Disciples, while others are Catholic saints. Many of these saints come from other Spanish territories that were ruled by the Catholic Church and were later canonized.

Are the Saints Actually Friars?

The origin of the names often prompts questions on whether the saints were actually friars. By historical logic and the definition provided, Saint Francis, the namesake of San Francisco, could not have been a friar. The mendicant order, which was named after him, came later. St. Francis was a wandering monk and Catholic missionary who was later designated a saint by the Catholic Church.

Exception: Santa Cruz

There is one notable exception to this pattern, and that is the city of Santa Cruz in California. This city’s name, which translates to "Holy Cross," does not follow the typical naming convention of "San" or "Santa" followed by a male or female saint name.

Therefore, the naming convention for these cities is rooted in the names of Catholic saints, not Spanish friars, even though the names are in Spanish. The gendered nature of the language further adds to the confusion, with "San" meaning male saint, and "Santa" or "Sante" meaning female saint. These names are often the Spanish versions of saints’ names in English, such as Jose for Joseph.

Given this information, it’s clear that the names of many California cities reflect the cultural and religious influences of the early Spanish and Catholic missionary presence in the region. This naming convention has become a part of the rich history and heritage of California.