I remember hearing a fairly compelling argument a while back where someone was saying that it's actually unlikely that the U.S. was named after Amerigo Vespucci. Sadly I have forgotten who was making the claim and why. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Was the guy full of it, or is there an alternative theory?
Edit: autocorrect didn't like the name Amerigo
Vespucci theory is the mainstream theory, but you may be thinking of claims for Englishman Richard Ameryk/Amerike/ap Meurig. There had been a few posts asking about that theory, but looks like they're gone now. You can check out these, but they all assume Vespucci:
When naming America, why do they use Amerigo Vespucci's first name, as opposed to his last?
Why was the New World named after Amerigo Vespucci rather than Christopher Columbus? - one comment raising Richard Ameryk
Why was America named after Amerigo Vespucci? - some incidental discussion on Richard Ameryk