when spanish explorers in the 16th century first discovered the baja california peninsula west of the sea of cortez, they believed the peninsula to be a large island. the name "california" was applied to the supposed island, and was probably a reference to a fictional island described in a popular novel of the time: "las sergas de esplandián". several other origins have been suggested for the word "california", including spanish, portuguese, latin, south asian, and native american origins. all of these are disputed.