AHC: Potential names for two Cuban U.S. states?

Hi there, folks. This is actually for my 1827: Shuffle scenario, so I could really use the advice. The idea I had was to split the island of Cuba roughly in half, and make two states out of that. I'd like to be creative, so any ideas for possible names for these two states? Any input is appreciated. :)
 

Driftless

Donor
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Pinar del Río, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara and Sancti Spíritus as the eight counties of Habana state. Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Las Tunas, Granma, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo and Isla de la Juventud as the seven counties of Camagüey state. The border between these states is an historical one between two historical provinces.

CubaSubdivisions.png


From west to east, Cuba's provinces are:
Pinar del Río
Artemisa
La Habana
Mayabeque
Matanzas
Cienfuegos
Villa Clara
Sancti Spíritus
Ciego de Ávila
Camagüey
Las Tunas
Granma
Holguín
Santiago de Cuba
Guantánamo
Isla de la Juventud is a "special municipality". Isla de la Juventud ("Island of Youth") was known until the 1970s as the Isla de Pinos ("Isle of Pines").
 
How about Havanna and Guantanamo for the west and east, respectively?

That's my first thought, too, but I also like the idea of naming the two states after Native American themes as most mainland states are:

The western can be Ciboney, or Siboney, after the original people of central Cuba who were pushed west by the Taino. Presumably, the western state would roughly cover their territory.

Naming the eastern state after the Taino would be a bit boring and uninspired, so we can nsme it Hatuey. Hatuey is a Taino chief, originally from Haiti, who moved to eastern Cuba and gained prominence there as a freedom fighter against the Spanish. In OTL he is regarded as a national hero in Cuba. Naming a state after him would help the US government to enhance ties with democratically-oriented Cubans and pull them away from the Spanish "imperialists".

So, Siboney and Hatuey. Coabana, the original name of Cuba, could also work.
 

Driftless

Donor
Pinar del Río, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara and Sancti Spíritus as the eight counties of Habana state. Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Las Tunas, Granma, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo and Isla de la Juventud as the seven counties of Camagüey state. The border between these states is an historical one between two historical provinces.

CubaSubdivisions.png


From west to east, Cuba's provinces are:
Pinar del Río
Artemisa
La Habana
Mayabeque
Matanzas
Cienfuegos
Villa Clara
Sancti Spíritus
Ciego de Ávila
Camagüey
Las Tunas
Granma
Holguín
Santiago de Cuba
Guantánamo
Isla de la Juventud is a "special municipality". Isla de la Juventud ("Island of Youth") was known until the 1970s as the Isla de Pinos ("Isle of Pines").

So, Habana & Camaguey states? Sounds good to me.
 
Why would Cuba be split?

True, today a unitary Cuba would be like 8th behind Ohio, while a split Cuba would be like 18&19 behind Tennessee, if I remember the Wiki numbers I just looked at.

But when does Cuba get made a state in your TL? How did its population compare to US states then?

You're going to have enough trouble getting one Spanish speaking state, almost entirely RC, state in with two senators. Two such states with 4 senators? And those extra Electoral Votes.

I cant see why it'd be split.
 
You could the go the easy route and name the states after the biggest cities in western and eastern Cuba. So you get Havana and Santiago.
 
Cuba and New Cuba.

Hey Vermont Republic tried to name themselves New Connecticut, let's take this to the logical extreme.
 
Same reason as north and south Dakota,more votes for your side in the senate. I could see the republicans doing this if the island was going to go for them
 
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