Why do the Dominican Republic and the Commonwealth of Dominica have a similar name? Although in Spanish the gentilicios differ, in English they are very similar. The Dominican Republic got its name when it was a Spanish viceroyalty, when Bartholomew Columbus founded in 1498 the city of Santo Domingo, named after St. Dominic de Guzman, founder of the order of "Dominicans". While Dominica got its name when Christopher Columbus in 1493 during his second voyage went to the island on Sunday, "Domingo" in Spanish. Who first used the gentilicio? Well, the Dominican Republic used it on the same date it was given. While Dominica would not be used by its inhabitants until centuries later, when it became a French colony in the 18th century. Dominica was not populated by the Spanish due to constant clashes with the natives and for giving importance to other territories. On the other hand, the English and French declared the island neutral territory for several decades. At that time, its indigenous inhabitants called the island Wai'tu kubuli, which means "High is his body". For this reason, the Dominican gentilicio was used before that of Dominica.