Vizcaya
/vɪzˈkaɪə/noun
A Spanish name for Biscay, a historic territory and province in northern Spain, also used for places and institutions named after it.
Did you know?The name is linked to Basque Bizkaia, but its ultimate origin is disputed—an unusual reminder that some place-names preserve words older than written history.
Etymological Timeline
Before the 11th Century
Basque
Bizkaia
“The Basque form of the regional name; its original meaning is uncertain.”
11th Century
Medieval Latin
Biscagia
“An early written form associated with the territory of Biscay.”
12th–13th Century
Old Romance
Biscaya
“A Romance-language form of the regional name.”
Medieval Spanish
Spanish
Vizcaya
“The name of the historic Basque territory, with Spanish spelling and pronunciation.”
Modern English
English
Vizcaya
“A proper name used for Biscay and for places, estates, and institutions named after the region.”