Does "Alcatraz" as in Alcatraz Island mean "gannet" or "pelican" in Spanish?
Question #141556. Asked by chabenao1.
Last updated Sep 22 2015.
Originally posted Sep 22 2015 11:49 AM.
deputygary
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deputygary 20 year member
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It appears to be named for the pelican. The island was named by Juan Manuel de Ayala, a Spanish explorer, in 1775. He called it La Isla de los Alcatraces, or Island of the Pelicans, due to its large population of sea birds.
http://www.history.com/topics/alcatraz