The name "Biscayne Bay" has a history rooted in the era of European exploration, though its exact origin is subject to some debate among historians. The most widely accepted theory is that it was named after the Bay of Biscay (Golfo de Vizcaya) located between Spain and France. It is believed that a sailor or explorer from the Basque region of Spain, often referred to as a "Biscayno" or "Viscayno," either lived in the area after being shipwrecked or was part of the early Spanish expeditions in the 16th century. Historically, Juan Ponce de León visited the area in 1513, but he originally called it "Chequescha" after the Tequesta people who lived there. By the 17th century, Spanish maps began labeling the area as "Cayo de Biscainhos," which eventually morphed into Key Biscayne and subsequently gave the name to the entire bay. The name underwent several British variations during their brief occupation, such as "Dartmouth Sound," but the Spanish-influenced "Biscayne" eventually became the permanent designation in the late 19th century as the city of Miami began to develop.