Vasco Núñez de Balboa was a Spanish explorer, governor, and conquistador. He is best known for having crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean in 1513, becoming the first European to lead an expedition to have seen or reached the Pacific from the New World.

What does the name Balboa mean?

Galician: habitational name from the city of Balboa, named with Latin vallis bona 'pleasant valley'.

Is Balboa a Spanish name?

Vasco Núñez de Balboa (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈbasko ˈnuɲeθ ðe βalˈβo. a]; c. 1475 – around January 12–21, 1519) was a Spanish explorer, governor, and conquistador.