The
Charles River is an 80 mi (129 km) long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern
Massachusetts. From its source in
Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the
Atlantic Ocean at
Boston. It is also sometimes called the
River Charles.
Captain John Smith explored and mapped the coast of New England, naming many features, originally naming the Charles River the Massachusetts River, which was derived from the
tribe living in the region. When Smith presented his map to
Charles I he suggested that the King should feel free to change any of the "barbarous names" for "English" ones. The king made many such changes, but only four survive today, one of which is the Charles River which Charles named for himself.
(Wikipedia)