New Mexico received its name long before the present-day nation of Mexico won independence from Spain and adopted that name in 1821. The name "Mexico" derives from Nahuatl and originally referred to the heartland of the Mexica, the rulers of the Aztec Empire, in the Valley of Mexico
We could just call one North and the other South. And then write a popular folk song that calls out landmarks South Mexico that are really Southern North Mexico. Country Roads style.
The Mexica existed long before the Spanish arrived. They migrated to the Valley of Mexico from a land in the north they referred to as Aztlán when the Toltecs went into decline.
Nuevo Mexico was named by the Spanish in reference to this history, as they were following the Rio Grande north searching for the Cities of Gold referenced in these same Mexica (ie Aztec) legends.
Kind of. The Spanish named New Mexico in the 1600s, and it was a much larger territory than the current state. The Mexicans named Mexico in 1821 when they gained their independence from Spain, and they acquired New Mexico as well. Then the US annexed it in the late 1800s.
Well, but New York is actually named after the duke of York
Edit: New York, New York City and Albany were all named after James II king of England and Ireland who was also James VII of Scottland, because before he became king he was duke of York and duke of Albany.
New Mexico was named such before Mexico was named. The Spaniards named a much larger territory that encompassed all of the current state of New Mexico, New Mexico. A couple centuries later the Mexican people revolted and gained their independence, and named the country Mexico in 1821