Luderitz was first discovered by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias in 1488. He placed a cross in the Bay where he landed, naming the bay Angra Pequena, meaning Small Bay in Portuguese. However, in 1883, Adolf Luderitz bought the rights of the land from the local Nama Chief. Three years later, in 1886, Luderitz didn't return from an expedition and the town was renamed Luderitzbucht (Luderitz Bay) in his honour.