Myth and legend surround the origins of the river's name. Some believe it most likely that Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado and his men gave the river its name. The Spanish were lost and wandering, on the verge of perishing form thirst, when a gorup of Native Americans led them to a small river which they dubbed "Los Brazos de Dios," or the "Arms of God." The same name often apears in other accounts of Spanish explorers.