Juan Ponce de León^[1] (English pronunciation: /ˈpɒns də ˈliən/^[2]Spanish pronunciation: [ˈponθe ðe leˈon]; 1474 – July 1521)^[3] was a Spanish explorer. He became the first Governor of Puerto Rico by appointment of the Spanish crown. He led the first European expedition to Florida, which he named. He is associated with the legend of the Fountain of Youth, reputed to be in Florida.

Juan Ponce de León was born in the village of Santervás de Campos in the northern part of what is now the Spanish province of Valladolid. Although early historians placed his birth in 1475, more recent evidence shows he was likely born in 1474. His family genealogy is extremely confusing and poorly documented.^{[citation needed]} There is no consensus on who his parents were but it seems that he was a member of a distinguished and influential noble family. His relatives included Rodrigo Ponce de León, Marquis of Cádiz a celebrated figure in the Moorish wars.^[4]