Then, in 1534, the French explorer Jacques Cartier discovered that Amerindians called the inland place "Canada" which meant camp or aggregation of cabins. After being claimed in the name of François I, these territories were known by the name of New France. However, within one hundred years, cartographers, navigators and writers used other names, depending on their nationality. Here are some examples:

1527 Magiolo used Francesca in honour of François I.

1556 On his maps, Gastaldi indicated the territory by the name of Nova Francia. In his book Terra de Hochelaga nella nova Francia, Ramusio referred to this term.

1566 Zaltieri named the region Nova Franza. Afterward Porcacci Da Castiglione (1572) and Porro (1590) used this term.

1570 On Ortelius's maps, the territory is called Nova Francia. Plancius used it again in 1596.

1595 Mercator designated the St-Lawrence River's north shores by "Nova Fran" and the south shores by the term of "Cia".

Finally, on his 1607 map, Champlain made "New France" the common name for the North-American territories dominated by the French. Lescarbot followed his example and used this name in the title of his book History of the New France published in 1609. Even the Scottish William Alexander wrote on his map "New France" to identify the North coast of the St-Lawrence River while calling the South side "New England". Finally, in 1632, New France included the Hudson Bay and South shore of the St-Lawrence River.

The numerous wars in Europe between France and England had gradually reduced the New France territory until it was ceded back to England by the Treaty of Paris in 1763. In its glory days, the territory of New France stretched from Louisiana up to Hudson Bay, including the Gulfs of St-Lawrence and Mexico, the Great Lakes and Newfoundland. After 1760, under the British domination, the expression "New France" wasn't used anymore.