What was the name given to the spanish soldiers explores who first reached the Americas?

The Spanish soldiers and explorers who first reached the Americas were known as "conquistadors." This term, derived from the Spanish Word for "conquerors," refers to those who led military expeditions to claim territories for Spain, often encountering and subjugating indigenous populations. Notable conquistadors include Hernán Cortés, who conquered the Aztec Empire, and Francisco Pizarro, who conquered the Inca Empire.