Because of Spaniards; White ppl got the name; White people

[Robocop]

The term "white race" or "white people" entered the major European languages in the later 17th century, originating with the racialization of slavery at the time and the enslavement of native peoples in the Spanish Empire.

To put it simply; White ppl were always awared of our white race (in all sorts of ancient states, empires etc), but it was spreaded and became known (as global thing) in every corner of the world because of Spaniards, because when they met native americans for the first time, natives called Spaniards as white newcomers, simply as that. Later on English, French, Russians etc... colonized various parts of Asia, America, Africa, but Spaniards were the first when it comes about new age colonization, so because of that, Spaniards were first who popularized term WHITE PEOPLE.

They were weird to natives ofcourse, who never saw white ppl before Spaniards, and slowly but surely white race as term became global name for everyone who is white, ofcourse.



Now something really interesting, you should read this;

White gods is the belief that ancient cultures around the world were visited by Caucasian races in ancient times, and that they were known as "White gods".

Based on 16th-century accounts of the Spanish conquistadors being "greeted as gods" by the peoples of the New World, certain modern authors have expanded the concept beyond what is historically verifiable, spreading it to the genre of pseudoarchaeological literature and fringe theorists, such as writers on ancient astronauts or Atlantis, in some instances (such as Christian Identity) even acquiring quasi-religious or racialist (white supremacist) connotations.
Quetzalcoatl as depicted in the Codex Magliabechiano.

It is claimed by some authors that white missionaries or "gods" visited America before Christopher Columbus. Authors usually quote from mythology and legends which discuss ancient gods such as Quetzalcoatl to conclude that the legends were actually based on Caucasians visiting those areas, and that the caucasians were really the gods.

Spanish chroniclers from the 16th century claimed that when the conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro first encountered the Incas they were greeted as gods, "Viracochas", because their lighter skin resembled their God Viracocha. This story was first reported by Pedro Cieza de León (1553) and later by Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa. Similar accounts by Spanish chroniclers (e.g. Juan de Betanzos) describe Viracocha as a "White God", often with a beard.

[Cristiano viejo]

British referred themselves in America as "British" and/or "Cristians", they did not use the term white, that was our thing

[Dandelion]

The proof Spaniards are white, but looking at the source we have a saying 'wij van WC-eend adviseren WC-eend'.

[Cristiano viejo]

The proof Spaniards are white, but looking at the source we have a saying 'wij van WC-eend adviseren WC-eend'.

Your black hair should be tested, Dani

[KMack]

On your knees!

[Cristiano viejo]

On your knees!

In these times Spanish used the flag of the kingdom of Castilla



the flag of your picture (the current Spanish flag) did not exist, it was born some centuries later.

[KMack]

In these times Spanish used the flag of the kingdom of Castilla



the flag of your picture (the current Spanish flag) did not exist, it was born some centuries later.

[Robocop]

British referred themselves in America as "British" and/or "Cristians", they did not use the term white, that was our thing

Yeah. True

[Smeagol]

Yes, Spanish were first to use the term but English colonists in America used it from at least the 1660s as well.

[Cristiano viejo]

Yes, Spanish were first to use the term but English colonists in America used it from at least the 1660s as well.

I dont doubt that happened but mainly they called themselves, front of Amerindians and blacks, as "English" and "Christians".