Question

Where did the name Indians come from in in reference to Native Americans?

Answer 1

Columbus and other early explorers believed that they had reached India.

Explanation:

Columbus had a flawed idea of the size of the world. When he reached America he felt he had reached India and the far East.
He called the local people he encountered Indians in the mistaken belief that he had achieved his goal and had reached India. ( or at least he wanted his sponsors the royal family of Spain, to believe he had reached India )