San Blas
/san ˈblas/noun
A Spanish name for Saint Blaise and for numerous places, regions, and islands named in his honor.
Did you know?Saint Blaise became associated with throat healing after legend says he saved a child choking on a fish bone, inspiring the Catholic blessing of throats with crossed candles.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
sanctus
“Holy or consecrated; the source of Spanish san, a shortened form used before masculine names.”
Late Antiquity
Greek
Blasios
“The Greek form of the saint’s name; its deeper origin is uncertain, though it has often been connected with a term meaning lisping or stammering.”
4th Century
Latin
Blasius
“The Latin name of Blaise, a bishop and martyr traditionally associated with Sebaste in Armenia.”
Middle Ages
Old Spanish
Sant Blas
“Saint Blaise; Spanish naming conventions gradually shortened sant to san before masculine names.”
15th–16th Century
Spanish
San Blas
“The Spanish form used in devotion and in the naming of churches, settlements, ports, islands, and territories.”
Modern English
English
San Blas
“A retained Spanish proper name, especially familiar through places such as the San Blas Islands of Panama and San Blas districts or towns.”