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The city of Boca Raton, in South Florida, has gained special attention in recent years. Like many communities in the “Sunshine State”, the region was also invaded by Americans from other states, mainly from the north (New York, New Jersey, etc.) in search of a quieter and less densely populated place. Boca Raton was already one of the favorite destinations of Americans to retire. The city is also well known by foreigners. And do you know why the city is called “Boca Raton”? Mistakenly, most people translate the expression literally to “Mouse Mouth”. Historical records, however, show that the name of the city emerged in the 18th century and is related to Spanish navigation techniques. Keep reading to understand where the name “Boca Raton” came from!
“Boca” refers to “Enseada” on the old Spanish maps
The name “Boca Ratones” originally appeared on Spanish navigation maps of the 18th century. The term “Boca” was used by sailors as a reference to a cove (bay, open recess of the coast). The word “Ratones” in the expression, however, brings different versions.
The first and most accepted version is that the term “ratones” among sailors was used to describe a rocky environment, with stony soil. The association “Boca” and “Ratones” could be a warning for sailors to be careful with a rocky cove, which could damage the vessels. The damage that the pointed stones would do to the hulls of the ships was compared to the action of the “rodent” (mouse).
Pirates
Another version holds that the name “Ratones” would be associated with pirates who hid in the cove. In this way, the name could be translated to “Pirate Coves”.
Name would originally be designated for Miami Beach
The expression Boca Raton originally appeared on 18th-century maps associated with a cove in the Biscayne Bay area of Miami. At the beginning of the 19th century, for some reason, the expression was designated for the area of the Boca Raton lagoon to the north.
Pronunciation
Over time the letters “e” and “s” of “Ratones” were left aside and the name “Boca Raton” was consolidated in 1924, when the city was founded.
Those who already know the city well probably heard people pronounce the name as “Boca RaTAHn”, when the correct pronunciation should be “Boca RatonE”, as if the “E” did not cease to exist.
In the 1980s, municipal authorities issued a resolution encouraging people to pronounce the name correctly, such as “Boca RaTONE”, just as it was pronounced at the time of Spanish colonization.
About Boca Raton
Boca Raton is an incredible city, close to Miami and with many opportunities in the real estate market. The community is quiet, with an atmosphere similar to a city in the interior of Florida, but complete and with all the options for leisure, shopping, gastronomy and excellent schools.
If you are interested in learning more about the opportunities in the Boca Raton real estate market, contact me on WhatsApp: +1 (305) 318 6968 (Heloisa Arazi).
About AMG International Realty
AMG International Realty is a global real estate company specialized in Florida. We often bring news about the region on this blog. If you want to know more about real estate opportunities in Boca Raton or another region of Florida, chat with me on WhatsApp: +1 305 318 6968 (Heloisa Arazi).
