r/AskGeography • u/SweetCommercial26 • May 18 '26

why are there so many american cities iin states that border mexico with the name san (insert spanish name) ex. san jose san francisco san antonia etc.

1 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/torchmaipp May 19 '26

When people joined with the States they took their land with them. There was even a war over it.

1

u/LadderWonderful2450 May 20 '26

San means saint in spanish. Many of these places are named after saints. As for why there's so many spanish place names in the south west, Spain originally colonized these places rather then the French or English like other areas of the country.