How did brazilwood give Brazil its name?

Brazil received its name from brazilwood, a tropical hardwood tree (Caesalpinia echinata) that was the country's most commercially viable resource during its early colonial period.12

When Portuguese explorers first arrived in the region, they initially named the territory Vera Cruz, or "True Cross". However, the land was soon renamed Brazil because of the abundance of brazilwood found along the coast. This tree was highly valued in Europe for its ability to yield a bright crimson or deep purple dye. In Portuguese, the tree is known as pau-brasil, a term derived from brasa (meaning "live coals"), which refers to the wood's intense red color.3124