The Pacific Ocean was named Mar Pacifico, meaning “peaceful seas” in Portuguese

The name Pacific Ocean is from the Portuguese name, Mar Pacifico, meaning “peaceful seas.” Named by Magellan because the warer was calm the day his fleet reached it in the year 1520. Magellan and his fleet were looking for spices on behalf of Spain but the Pacific Ocean had commonly used names among indigenous cultures long before his arrival. 

Indigenous Names for the Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean already had other names given by Indigenous cultures long before Magellan’s arrival. Hawaiians call it Moananuiākea while the Māori know it as Te Moana Nui a Kiwa.