Who named NYC?

Answer 1

Colonel Richard Nicolls, head of the English expeditionary force that conquered the New Netherland colony in 1664 renamed the both the colony and it's major city, New Amsterdam, after his lord James Stuart, Duke of York (later King James II of England). It is generally believed that the name had been prearranged with the Duke before the expedition - which was under his nominal command - was launched.

James Stuart was also Duke of Albany (in Scotland) and the colony's second city (now the capital of NYS) renamed Albany (It had been Beaverwyck) in his honor as well.

Although New York changed hands again, first back to the Dutch and then back to the ENglish, over the next generation, the English eventually won out and the name stayed.

After succeeding to the throne, James Stuart was eventually deposed and driven into exile by the English who replaced him with his daughter Mary and her husband William, who (ironically) was the Dutch sovereign.