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Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why was the state of Bahia given its name?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Map of South America with the Brazilian state of Bahia highlighted in white on the eastern coast of Brazil. Major cities in Bahia, including Salvador, Feira de Santana, Vitoria da Conquista, and Itabuna, are marked. An inset map in the lower left corner shows Bahia's location within Brazil, highlighted in purple. Surrounding countries and major South American cities are also labeled.
Bahia

The state of Bahia derives its name from the Portuguese word for "bay" (bahia or baía).1

When Portuguese explorers first entered the region in 1501, they arrived at the large, deep natural harbor where the city of Salvador is now located. Because they discovered this body of water on All Saints’ Day, November 1, they named it Todos os Santos Bay (All Saints Bay). The surrounding area subsequently became known simply as "Bahia," a name that was eventually adopted for the state itself.12