The Carribeans gained it's title "The West Indies" because Christopher Columbus when traveling thought he had reached the "Indies of Asia" & The East Indies. Spain then changed the name and made it into the West Indies to decipher them from the Spice Islands in the Pacific Ocean, which is the East Indies. Therefore, Since Christopher Columbus Was sailing Westward around the Cape Of Good Hope in hopes of finding India but later the Carribeans he Named it West Indies. Even though the Carribean Is East of India it would make more since to just title it East Indies but West was the choice due to the route he chose which was West. Comment if you need me to explain more, i'll be glad too. Hope this helped :)
