How did the Solomon Islands receive their name?

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The Solomon Islands were named by the Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira, who reached the archipelago in 1568.12

Following his arrival, unfounded rumors circulated suggesting that Mendaña had discovered gold on the islands. These stories further claimed that he had located the source of the gold used by the biblical King Solomon for his temple in Jerusalem. Based on this belief, the islands were named Islas de Salomón.12