
What was the first name given to the settlement that is now called Los Angeles
The first name given to the settlement is actually debated. "El Pueblo de la Reyna de los Angeles" or "The Town of the Queen of Angels" was the name given by the Spanish in a map dated 1785 according to Historian Doyce P. Nunis.
However, the diocesan archivist, Frank Weber said, the name given by the founders was "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles de Porciuncula" or The Our Lady of Angels of Porciuncula".
Porciuncula "Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles de la Porciuncula" is name given to a river by Father Juan Crespi who accompanied an exploratory expedition led by Gaspar de Portola which is now called Los Angeles River.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Los_Angeles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porciuncula_River
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pueblo_de_Los_Angeles

