Who Is It Named After? Oranges Don't Grow In Orange County

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — It's kind of obvious where Orange County, California and Orange County, Florida got their names; Orange County, NY, however, is a little bit of a head-scratcher.

According to the Orange County Commission for Film and Tourism, New York's own Orange County predates its citrus-inspired counterparts. While eight counties in the United States share the name Orange — New York’s was the first and was named after William III of Orange who became the King of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1689.

Long Island's Nassau County was also named in tribute to William III's family (in addition to being the former name of Long Island). New York City was even briefly renamed Orange City after the British lost a skirmish to the Dutch.

Orange County in the Empire State shares the inspiration for its name with Orange County, North Carolina. In addition to giving the Hudson Valley a touch of Mediterranean-sounding mystique, the House of Orange-Nassau is also the surprising reason most carrots are orange.

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