Name for a Portuguese Australia?

[Archangel]

A name I came up with was Terra Doçul, which is a corruption of Terra do Sul, which means Land of the South. I wanted to play off the "Land down Under" reputation Australia has.

It could work, there are sometimes strange evolutions in placenames in Portuguese, but it takes many centuries, so this would be a modern name.

Another name could be Ophiussa, which was the greek name for the Land of Portugal.

In modern Portuguese, it would be Ofiússa.

 

[JonasResende]

In modern Portuguese, it would be Ofiússa.

Maybe also the connection to the Biblical "Ophir" or is that too much of a stretch?

A name I came up with was Terra Doçul, which is a corruption of Terra do Sul, which means Land of the South. I wanted to play off the "Land down Under" reputation Australia has. Another name could be Ophiussa, which was the greek name for the Land of Portugal.

Doculia? Or does that sound too much like Dracula?

 

[Archangel]

Maybe also the connection to the Biblical "Ophir" or is that too much of a stretch?

I believe there's no connection between both.

Doculia? Or does that sound too much like Dracula?

I think it wouldn't work in Portuguese (at least it's much less likely than Terra Doçul, and that option is already difficult and lengthy to reach in terms of language evolution).

 

[JonasResende]

I believe there's no connection between both.
I think it wouldn't work in Portuguese (at least it's much less likely than Terra Doçul, and that option is already difficult and lengthy to reach in terms of language evolution).

And that's game set and match to @Archangel. I like the Ophuissa/Ofiussa idea.

 

[JonasResende]

The scenario I envisaged is a sort of scuffle breaking out when the French start claiming Australia (I really like the idea of the name 'Ulimaroa' which a Swede came up with in the 1770s based on Cook's journals mentions of a native 'Olhemaroa' - not sure if it would be too 'rule of cool' to use it? And what would be a decent French "mangling" of it? I know the name probably refers to Grand Terre island rather than Australia, but Australie sounds too literal). Portugal starts saying that they knew about Australia first and that they have dibs on it (and of course Britain gets involved because a) the Portuguese are their oldest allies and more importantly, b) they don't want the French to have it).

If the French were to agree to partition Australia with the Portuguese, or were the Anglo-Portuguese unable to protect their "investment" on the far side of the world (because reasons - most likely George III and Maria I going bonkers at the same time like OTL), would the French keep the Portuguese name (especially if it is "barely" used outside of Portugal (and maybe Spain))? Or would they "rechristen" the place?

 

[Coluber]

I assume that the Portuguese would arrive somewhere near Darwin or in northern Queensland. Some native place names in those areas include:
Bendidee, and Kakadu. Not very cool names for a continent in my opinion, but they exist.

Kakadu would be disastrous. It sounds like cagado, which isn't a nice word. I can see Bendidee becoming Bendadim, or maybe Bandim. Or maybe they'd just call it Australia, or Australha (heh).

 

[Ameroboto]

Novo Brasil?

 

[Viriato]

According to early books, the Portuguese believed a Ilha do Ouro or "Island of Gold" existed. I found a 1712 publication which still refers to Australia as such.

 

[Archangel]

If the French were to agree to partition Australia with the Portuguese, or were the Anglo-Portuguese unable to protect their "investment" on the far side of the world (because reasons - most likely George III and Maria I going bonkers at the same time like OTL), would the French keep the Portuguese name (especially if it is "barely" used outside of Portugal (and maybe Spain))? Or would they "rechristen" the place?

If it's very different from a similar french word, it'll be likely rechristened. If it's a close sounding name for French and Portuguese, it might likely be just translated.

According to early books, the Portuguese believed a Ilha do Ouro or "Island of Gold" existed. I found a 1712 publication which still refers to Australia as such. View attachment 481599

Given Viriato's finding, a good name would be (Terra) Áurea (in sense of a land made of Gold), which in time would possibly be shortened to Áurea.