The toponym Brazil is thought to be derived from "brazil wood", a hard red wood especially valuable for making musical instruments.
I think the wood may be named after the area and the area named after one of its primary ancient exports: iron ore. That is, Brazil may be derived from Western Semitic BaRZeL = iron. Compare Argentina to the south whose name is derived from a more precious metal, Latin argentum = silver. Ciao, Izzy Petah Tikva
