Why Is It Called Florida Water?

If you have ever wondered why a cologne that has been part of so many traditions and cultures is called Florida Water, the answer is more interesting than you might expect.

Despite its name, Florida Water did not originate in Florida.

Its story began more than 200 years ago in New York City, and along the way, its name became connected to flowers, fragrance, the legend of the Fountain of Youth, and a history that eventually reached far beyond the United States.

It All Began in New York City

The story of Florida Water dates back to 1808, when Robert Murray established his business at 313 Pearl Street in Lower Manhattan.

It was in that same year that Florida Water Cologne was introduced in New York, marking the beginning of a history that would span generations and eventually reach customers around the world.

In 1835, David Trumbull Lanman joined the business, and Murray & Lanman was established at 69 Water Street in New York City.

The company later became Lanman & Kemp in 1861, the name that continues the legacy today.

From its beginnings on the streets of Manhattan to more than two centuries of history, New York City remains an important part of the Florida Water story.

But Why “Florida” Water?

So, if it began in New York, where did the name Florida come from?

The name traces back to the Spanish La Florida, commonly associated with the idea of a “land of flowers.”

The connection is especially fitting for a cologne known for its distinctive combination of citrus, floral, and spicy fragrance notes.

But there is another important connection between Florida and the story of Florida Water: the legendary Fountain of Youth.

Stories of a mythical spring capable of restoring youth became closely associated with Florida and eventually found their way into the visual identity of Florida Water.

The Fountain of Youth on the Label

You can still see this history reflected on the bottle today.

The recognizable label features artwork inspired by the Fountain of Youth, an image that has become synonymous with Florida Water over generations.

Although the packaging has evolved slightly through the years, the historic scene remains, connecting the bottle we recognize today with its remarkable past.

So, the next time you pick up a bottle of Florida Water, take a moment to look closely at the label.

There is a story there.

From New York to the World

What began in New York City eventually traveled far beyond Manhattan.

By the 19th century, Florida Water had developed a significant international following, including throughout the Caribbean, Cuba, Central America, and South America.

As its popularity grew, the Murray & Lanman name and its distinctive bottle helped make Florida Water recognizable across generations and cultures.

What started as a product introduced in New York became part of a history that crossed borders and continued through different places, generations, and cultures.

More Than 200 Years Later

More than two centuries have passed since Florida Water was first introduced in New York.

The world around it has changed tremendously since 1808, but its unmistakable identity has endured.

Its familiar bottle carries traces of that history: a beginning in Lower Manhattan, a name connected to La Florida and flowers, and a label inspired by the legendary Fountain of Youth.

Perhaps that is what makes the name Florida Water so intriguing.

It is not simply the name of a place.

It brings together flowers, Florida, the Fountain of Youth, and more than two centuries of history that began in New York City.