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January 30, 1847: The Naming of San Francisco 

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January 30, 1847: The Naming of San Francisco 

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Today in history: On January 30, 1847, the town of Yerba Buena was officially renamed San Francisco. This change was implemented to establish a distinct identity for the growing settlement and to prevent confusion with another nearby town that was to be named “Francisca.” That town is now known as Benicia and was named in honor of Francisca Benicia Carillo de Vallejo, the wife of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. 

The renaming of Yerba Buena marked a significant moment in San Francisco’s history, setting the stage for its development during the California Gold Rush and its emergence as a major urban center. In 1847, San Francisco had about 600 residents, which boomed to 60,000 a decade later during the Gold Rush.