Amerigo Vespucci was the first official person to voyage to the new continent know now as the Americas. Yet this was his third successful voyage so far. He is most known for this one in particular, so much so that it was named after him. Not only was the south side named after himself, but the northern side as well. He was in fact given a lot of credit that should have been given rightfully to Columbus . Amerigo was the first person to explore the "Gulf of Ganges". So in general america wouldn't have its name without this man of history and we should all thank him, mostly for not having a weird name.