Caldas

Caldas is a toponym and surname of Iberian origin. In Portuguese and Galician, caldas means hot springs or baths, a toponymic element that has been used to name towns and districts associated with thermal springs. Because of this, Caldas appears in various place names across Portugal, Spain, and throughout Latin America, and it is also used as a family name.

Notable uses:

- Caldas Department, a department of Colombia located in the Andean region; its capital is Manizales. The department is named after Francisco José de Caldas, an early 19th‑century scientist.

- Caldas as a surname, borne by individuals in Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries; it has spread to many regions through historical migration.

- Related place names include Caldas da Rainha, a city in Portugal, and other Iberian toponyms where Caldas forms part of a larger name.