Ventnor, Ryde, Cowes and Sandown are not only to be found here on the original Isle of Wight, but across all 4 corners of the globe. Here are some of the Isle of Wight place names in other continents…
The Isle of Wight
The most famous Isle of Wight in the Americas is Isle of Wight County, Virginia. Many of its 1st colonists came from the Island in the early 17th century. Its original name was Warrosquyoak Shire, from its original Native American inhabitants. It then became known as ‘Isle of Wight County’ in 1637 because many of its 1st colonists had come from the Island and also because the Indian name was something of a mouthful to pronounce. Isle of Wight County is twice the size of its English cousin, with a total land area of 316 square miles compared with the Island’s 148 square miles. It has far fewer inhabitants (38,606). The Virginian County is surrounded by some very Anglo-Saxon-sounding names: the city of Suffolk lies to the east, Southampton County to the west, and Surrey County to the north.
American islands named after the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight Island in Maryland is located in Isle of Wight Bay. It has been designated a Wildlife Management Area and is described as “a scenic island located in a beautiful bay”. It consists of 200 acres of marsh and forest, which attracts plentiful waterfowl and marsh birds. 
Ventnor
Ventnor City, New Jersey – which lies north of Atlantic City – was named by S Bartram Richards, the wife of the secretary of the Camden and Atlantic Land Company, who had recently visited the seaside resort. The 1st city meeting was held at Carisbrooke Hotel – the name also derives from the Island. 
Ryde
The best-known overseas Ryde is the suburb of Sydney, Australia. Its name came from GM Pope, who migrated from Ryde to Australia, and opened the Ryde Store. The original Aboriginal name was Wallumatta. 
Ryde in California – population just 50.
The American Ryde was established in 1892 by William Kesner, who named it after the Island town. The eponymous Ryde Hotel – located in the Californian Ryde – has had a checkered history. It was the scene of numerous brawls and a murder during the prohibition era. Following the end of prohibition, it became the haunt of the rich and famous, including Herbert Hoover, who announced his candidacy for president there. The hotel went downhill in the 1970s, transitioning into a ‘Swinger’s Palace’.
Cowes
As well as being a renowned Yachting centre on the Island, ‘Cowes’ (like Ventnor) is also a small town in Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia (population 4,000). Cowes (Phillip Island) was given its name by government surveyor Henry Cox after returning from holiday in England in 1865. It was originally known as Mussel Rocks. The Antipodean Cowes is surrounded by sheltered beaches, and there are ideal conditions for surfing. 
Sandown
Sandown is a small town in New Hampshire, named after the seaside resort by colonial governor Benning Wentworth in 1756. It has a population of 6,548. A further Sandown – named after the eponymous Island seaside resort – is an affluent suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is home to the offices of many national and international corporations, as well as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. 
