How Each of the 50 States Got Its Name – Origins & Meanings [Etymology]

The characteristics of US state names can vary widely, but there are a few general trends that can be observed:

Geographic Features: Many US state names are derived from geographic features such as rivers, mountains, and valleys. For example, Mississippi comes from the Ojibwe word “misi-ziibi” meaning “great river”, and Colorado is named after the Colorado River.
Native American Origins: Many US state names are derived from Native American languages. For example, Alaska comes from the Aleut word “Alyeska”, meaning “great land”, and Massachusetts comes from the Massachusett tribe’s name for their homeland, “Massachusett”.
Historical Figures: Many US state names are named after historical figures, usually politicians or military leaders. For example, Washington is named after George Washington, the first president of the United States, and Jefferson is named after Thomas Jefferson, the third president.
Religious References: Some US state names have religious connotations, either directly or indirectly. For example, Utah comes from the Ute tribe and means “people of the mountains”, but also has a connection to the Mormon faith due to the state’s history.
Descriptive Names: Some US state names simply describe a characteristic of the area. For example, New Mexico was named by Spanish explorers and means “new” and “Mexico”, referencing the Spanish region of Mexico.

Overall, US state names often reflect the unique history and culture of each region, and can be a reflection of the people and places that make up each state.

Table of Contents

How Each State Got Its Name – Overview

The origins of each state’s name vary and are often rooted in the state’s history, geography, or Native American heritage.

Here is a brief overview of how some of the states got their names:

Alabama – The name “Alabama” comes from the Native American Choctaw language, meaning “thicket-clearers” or “vegetation-gatherers.”
Alaska – The name “Alaska” is derived from an Aleut word meaning “great land” or “mainland.”
Arizona – The name “Arizona” comes from the Spanish word “arizonac,” which means “silver-bearing.”
Arkansas – The name “Arkansas” is derived from a French term, “Arcansas,” which was used by early explorers to refer to the Quapaw Indians, who lived in the area.
California – The name “California” is believed to have come from a Spanish novel, “Las Sergas de Esplandián,” which described a fictional paradise called “California.”
Colorado – The name “Colorado” comes from the Spanish word for “red,” referring to the color of the Colorado River.
Connecticut – The name “Connecticut” comes from a Native American word, “quinnehtukqut,” which means “beside the long tidal river.”
Delaware – The state of Delaware is named after Lord De La Warr, a colonial governor of Virginia.
Florida – The name “Florida” comes from the Spanish word “florido,” meaning “flowered” or “full of flowers.
Georgia – The state of Georgia is named after King George II of England.
Hawaii – The name “Hawaii” comes from the Polynesian word “Hawaiki,” which means “place of the gods” or “homeland.”
Idaho – The name “Idaho” is believed to have been made up by a mining lobbyist, who claimed it was a Native American word meaning “gem of the mountains.”
Illinois – The name “Illinois” comes from the French word “illiniwek,” meaning “tribe of superior men.”
Indiana – The state of Indiana is named after the Native American tribe, the “Indians,” who lived in the area.
Iowa – The name “Iowa” comes from the Native American Dakota Sioux word, “Ayuxba,” meaning “sleepy ones.”
Kansas – The name “Kansas” comes from the Native American tribe, the Kansa, who lived in the area.
Kentucky – The name “Kentucky” comes from the Iroquois word “kenhtà:ke,” meaning “land of tomorrow.”
Louisiana – The state of Louisiana is named after King Louis XIV of France.
Maine – The name “Maine” is believed to have come from the French word “main,” meaning “hand,” because the state resembles a hand on a map.
Maryland – The state of Maryland is named after Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I of England.
Massachusetts – The name “Massachusetts” comes from a Native American word, “massachusett,” meaning “at the large hill.”
Michigan – The name “Michigan” comes from the Native American Ojibwe word “mishigamaa,” meaning “large water” or “large lake.”
Minnesota – The name “Minnesota” comes from the Dakota Sioux word “minisota,” meaning “sky-tinted water.”
Mississippi – The name “Mississippi” comes from the Native American Choctaw word “misi-ziibi,” meaning “great river.”
Missouri – The name “Missouri” comes from the Native American tribe, the Missouria, who lived in the area.
Montana – The name “Montana” comes from the Spanish word “montaña,” meaning “mountain.”
Nebraska – The name “Nebraska” comes from the Native American Otoe word “nebrathka,” meaning “flat water.”
Nevada – The name “Nevada” comes from the Spanish word “nevada,” meaning “snowy.”
New Hampshire – The state of New Hampshire is named after the English county of Hampshire.
New Jersey – The state of New Jersey is named after the English Channel Island of Jersey.
New Mexico – The state of New Mexico is named after the country of Mexico.
New York – The state of New York is named after the Duke of York, who later became King James II of England.
North Carolina – The state of North Carolina is named after King Charles I of England, who granted the land to Sir Robert Heath in 1629.
North Dakota – The name “Dakota” comes from the Native American Sioux word “dakóta,” meaning “allies” or “friends.”
Ohio – The name “Ohio” comes from the Native American Seneca word “ohi:yo,” meaning “good river.”
Oklahoma – The name “Oklahoma” comes from the Native American Choctaw words “okla” and “humma,” meaning “red people.”
Oregon – The name “Oregon” is believed to have come from the French word “ouragan,” meaning “hurricane” or “storm.”
Pennsylvania – The state of Pennsylvania is named after William Penn, the founder of the colony.
Rhode Island – The state of Rhode Island is named after the Greek island of Rhodes.
South Carolina – The state of South Carolina is named after King Charles I of England.
South Dakota – The name “Dakota” comes from the Native American Sioux word “dakóta,” meaning “allies” or “friends.”
Tennessee – The name “Tennessee” comes from the Native American Cherokee word “tanasi,” meaning “meeting place.”
Texas – The name “Texas” comes from the Native American Caddo word “taysha,” meaning “friends” or “allies.”
Utah – The name “Utah” comes from the Native American Ute tribe, who lived in the area.
Vermont – The name “Vermont” comes from the French words “vert” and “mont,” meaning “green mountain.”
Virginia – The state of Virginia is named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the “Virgin Queen.”
Washington – The state of Washington is named after President George Washington.
West Virginia – The state of West Virginia was created during the Civil War, when a portion of Virginia split off to remain loyal to the Union.
Wisconsin – The name “Wisconsin” comes from the Native American Ojibwe word “wiskonsin,” meaning “place of the beaver.
Wyoming – The name “Wyoming” comes from the Native American Lenape word “wamə́nkɛ,” meaning “at the big river flat.”

How Did Each U.S. State Get Its Name?

State Name Origins & Meanings (Etymology) in Detail

Here’s how each of the US states and territories got their name:

Alabama

Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States.

The state was named after the Alabama River, which in turn was named after the Alibamu tribe of Native Americans who lived in the region.

The word “Alabama” is believed to come from the Choctaw word “albaamo”, which means “thicket-clearers” or “vegetation-gatherers”.

The Alibamu tribe, also known as the Alabama tribe, were part of the Creek Confederacy, and the state of Alabama is home to many Creek and other Native American tribes.

Alaska

Alaska is a state located in the northwestern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Aleut word “Alyeska”, which means “great land” or “mainland”.

The Aleut people are indigenous to the region, and their language is one of the many indigenous languages spoken in Alaska.

The name “Alyeska” was popularized during the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 19th century, when many prospectors traveled through Alaska in search of gold.

The name eventually became the official name of the territory when it was purchased by the United States from Russia in 1867, and later became the name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1959.

American Samoa

American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean. The territory’s name distinguishes it from neighboring Samoa, which is an independent country.

The name “American Samoa” was chosen when the territory was annexed by the United States in 1900, after a treaty was signed with the local chiefs.

The territory was originally administered by the U.S. Navy, but was transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1951.

The name “Samoa” comes from the Samoan language, and means “sacred earth”.

The Samoan people have lived in the region for over 3,000 years, and have a rich cultural heritage that is still celebrated in American Samoa today.

Arizona

The name “Arizona” comes from the Spanish word “Arizonac,” which is a native American word for “silver-bearing.”

When the Spanish arrived in the area in the 16th century, they discovered silver deposits around what is now known as the city of Tucson.

The area was named “Pimeria Alta,” which means “Upper Pima Country,” after the Pima Native American tribe that lived in the area.

In the 1800s, when the United States acquired the territory, the name was changed to “Arizona” and was designated as a separate territory in 1863. The name was retained when Arizona became a state in 1912.

Arkansas

The name “Arkansas” comes from the French interpretation of a Native American word “akansa,” which means “land of downriver people.”

The Native American tribe, the Quapaw, lived along the Mississippi River and were referred to as the “downstream people” by other tribes.

In the early 1700s, French explorers began to settle in the area, and they referred to the region as “Arkansas Post.”

When the United States acquired the land in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the name “Arkansas” was retained. Arkansas became a separate territory in 1819 and was admitted as a state in 1836.

California

The name “California” has a disputed origin, but the most commonly accepted explanation is that it comes from a Spanish novel called “Las Sergas de Esplandián,” written in 1510.

The novel describes a mythical island called “California” that is ruled by a queen named Calafia and is filled with gold and precious stones.

When Spanish explorers arrived in what is now California in the 16th century, they named the area “California” in reference to the novel.

The name stuck, and when the United States acquired the territory in 1848 after the Mexican-American War, it was already widely known as California.

Another theory suggests that the name “California” comes from a Native American word meaning “high hill” or “mountainous land.” However, this theory is less widely accepted.

Colorado

Colorado is a state located in the western region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Colorado River, which flows through the region.

The river was named by Spanish explorers, who called it the Rio Colorado, meaning “colored river” in Spanish.

The river’s red and muddy color was caused by the sediment it carried from the surrounding mountains.

The name “Colorado” was later used to refer to the surrounding region, and eventually became the name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1876.

Connecticut

Connecticut is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from an Algonquian word, “Quinnehtukqut”, which means “beside the long tidal river”.

The word was originally used to refer to the Connecticut River, which flows through the region.

The Algonquian people were the original inhabitants of the area, and their language is one of the many indigenous languages spoken in Connecticut.

The name “Connecticut” was first used by English settlers who arrived in the area in the early 17th century, and it eventually became the official name of the colony and later the state.

Delaware

Delaware is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States. The state is named after the Delaware River, which flows through the region.

The river was named by the Dutch explorer Henry Hudson, who sailed up the river in 1609 and named it after his patron, Sir Thomas West, the Baron De La Warr.

The baron’s name was eventually anglicized to “Delaware”, and the river and surrounding region became known by that name.

The Delaware River was an important trade route during the colonial period, and the state of Delaware was one of the original 13 colonies.

The state is also known as the “First State” because it was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1787.

District of Columbia

The District of Columbia, also known as D.C., is the capital city of the United States.

It was created as a separate territory to serve as the capital of the country, and it takes its name from two historical figures: Christopher Columbus and George Washington.

The land that now makes up D.C. was ceded by Maryland and Virginia to the federal government to serve as the seat of the national government.

The city was founded in 1791, and the name “Columbia” was chosen as a nod to Christopher Columbus, who is credited with discovering America.

The “District” part of the name refers to the fact that D.C. is not a state, but a federal district that is not part of any state.

The name “District of Columbia” was officially adopted in 1791, and it remains the name of the city to this day.

Florida

The name “Florida” comes from the Spanish word “florido,” which means “flowery.” The area was named by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon when he landed on the peninsula in 1513.

He named it “La Florida” because he arrived during the Easter season, which is known as “Pascua Florida” in Spanish.

The name stuck, and when the area was ceded to the United States by Spain in 1819, it was already widely known as Florida.

Florida was admitted as a state in 1845, and the name has remained the same ever since.

Georgia

The name “Georgia” comes from King George II of Great Britain, who granted a charter to establish the colony in 1732.

The colony was founded as a haven for debtors and other disadvantaged groups, and the name “Georgia” was chosen to honor the king who had granted the charter.

The original name for the colony was “Province of Georgia,” and it was one of the original 13 colonies that formed the United States.

Georgia played an important role in the American Revolution and was the last of the 13 colonies to be established as a state. Georgia was admitted as a state in 1788, and the name has remained the same ever since.

Guam

Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. The territory’s name comes from the Chamorro word “Guahan”, which means “we have” or “ours”.

The Chamorro people are the indigenous people of Guam, and their language is one of the official languages of the territory.

The name “Guahan” was used by the Chamorro people to refer to their homeland, and it eventually became the name of the island when it was colonized by the Spanish in the 16th century.

Guam was ceded to the United States after the Spanish-American War in 1898, and has been a U.S. territory ever since.

Hawaii

Hawaii is a state located in the Pacific Ocean and is the only U.S. state that is entirely composed of islands.

The state’s name comes from the Hawaiian language, and means “homeland” or “place of the gods”. The name is believed to have been chosen by the Polynesian voyagers who first settled the islands over 1,500 years ago.

The islands were originally divided into separate kingdoms, and were eventually united under the rule of King Kamehameha I in 1810.

Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898, and became a U.S. territory in 1900. The islands were later admitted to the Union as the 50th state in 1959.

Idaho

Idaho is a state located in the northwestern region of the United States. The state’s name has an uncertain origin, and there are several theories about where it came from.

One theory is that the name “Idaho” was invented by a lobbyist named George M. Willing, who claimed that it was a Native American word that meant “gem of the mountains”.

However, there is no evidence that the word “Idaho” was ever used by any Native American tribe. Another theory is that the name was derived from the Shoshone-Bannock word “ee-da-how”, which means “sun coming down the mountain”.

This theory is based on a story about a Shoshone chief who was traveling through the region and was inspired by the sunset over the mountains.

The name “Idaho” was first used by Congress in 1863 when it created the Idaho Territory, and it eventually became the name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1890.

Illinois

The name “Illinois” comes from the Illinois Confederation, a group of Native American tribes that lived in the area before the arrival of European explorers.

The word “Illinois” means “tribe of superior men” in the Algonquian language spoken by the confederation.

The French were the first Europeans to explore the area in the 17th century, and they named the region “Illinois Country” in honor of the confederation.

The area was later claimed by the British, and when the United States acquired the land in the late 18th century, it became part of the Northwest Territory.

Illinois became a separate territory in 1809 and was admitted as a state in 1818. The name “Illinois” was retained when the state joined the Union.

Indiana

The name “Indiana” comes from the Latin word “Indianus,” which means “of or belonging to the Indians.” The area was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Miami and the Delaware.

In the late 18th century, the area was claimed by both the British and the Americans, and it became part of the Northwest Territory after the American Revolution.

Indiana became a separate territory in 1800 and was admitted as a state in 1816.

The name “Indiana” was chosen by the territorial legislature in 1800, and it has been retained as the state’s name ever since.

Iowa

The name “Iowa” comes from the Native American tribe of the same name that lived in the area before the arrival of Europeans.

The word “Iowa” means “beautiful land” or “drowsy ones” in the Dakota Sioux language.

The area was first explored by French explorers in the late 17th century, and it was later claimed by Spain and then by France again before it was acquired by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Iowa became a separate territory in 1838 and was admitted as a state in 1846.

The name “Iowa” was chosen by the territorial legislature in 1838, and it has been the name of the state ever since.

Kansas

Kansas is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the region before European settlement.

The Kansa tribe was part of the larger Sioux Nation, and their name meant “people of the wind”.

When French explorers first encountered the tribe in the 18th century, they spelled the name “Kanza”, and the spelling eventually evolved into “Kansas”.

The name “Kansas” was later used to refer to the surrounding region, and eventually became the name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1861.

Kentucky

Kentucky is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Wyandot Native American word “Kenhtà:ke”, which means “meadow land”.

The name was first used by French explorers in the 18th century to refer to the region’s lush grasslands, which were ideal for grazing livestock.

The name “Kentucky” was later adopted by English settlers who arrived in the area, and it eventually became the official name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1792.

Louisiana

Louisiana is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from King Louis XIV of France, who claimed the region for France in the late 17th century.

The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Houma, Natchez, and Caddo people.

The French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, claimed the region for France in 1682 and named it La Louisiane in honor of King Louis XIV.

The name “Louisiana” was later used to refer to the region’s French and Spanish colonial periods, and it eventually became the name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1812.

Maine

The name “Maine” comes from the ancient French province of Maine, which is located in what is now northwestern France.

The area that is now the state of Maine was first explored by French and English explorers in the 16th century, and it was claimed by both countries at different times.

The region was part of Massachusetts until 1820, when it became a separate state as part of the Missouri Compromise.

The name “Maine” was chosen by the state’s first governor, William King, and it was inspired by the fact that the area was once known as the “Mainland” of Massachusetts.

Maryland

The name “Maryland” was chosen in honor of Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I of England.

The king granted a charter to establish the colony in 1632, and the colony was named in honor of his wife, who was a devout Catholic.

Maryland was founded as a safe haven for Catholics, who were persecuted in England at the time.

The colony became an important center for trade and commerce, and it played an important role in the American Revolution and the Civil War.

Massachusetts

The name “Massachusetts” comes from the Massachusett tribe, which inhabited the area before the arrival of European settlers.

The word “Massachusett” means “at or about the Great Hill” in the Algonquian language spoken by the tribe.

The area was first explored by European explorers in the early 17th century, and it was settled by the English in 1620 with the arrival of the Pilgrims.

Massachusetts became a center for trade and commerce in the 18th century, and it played an important role in the American Revolution.

The name “Massachusetts” was officially adopted in 1780, and it has been the name of the state ever since.

Michigan

Michigan is a state located in the Great Lakes region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Ojibwe Native American word “mishigamaa”, which means “large water” or “large lake”.

The name was first recorded by French explorers in the 17th century, who used it to refer to both Lake Michigan and the surrounding region.

The name “Michigan” was later adopted by the English settlers who arrived in the area, and it eventually became the official name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1837.

Minnesota

Minnesota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Dakota Sioux word “Mnisota”, which means “cloudy water” or “sky-tinted water”.

The name refers to the Minnesota River, which runs through the southwestern part of the state.

The name “Minnesota” was first recorded by French explorers in the 17th century, and it eventually became the name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1858.

Mississippi

Mississippi is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Mississippi River, which forms the state’s western border.

The name “Mississippi” comes from the Ojibwe Native American word “misi-ziibi”, which means “great river” or “gathering of waters”.

The name was later adopted by French explorers and traders who arrived in the region in the 17th century, and it eventually became the name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1817.

Missouri

The name “Missouri” comes from the Missouri River, which runs through the state. The river was named after the Missouri Indian tribe, which means “town of the large canoes” in their native language.

The area that is now Missouri was first explored by French explorers in the 17th century, and it was part of the Louisiana Territory until the United States acquired it as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Missouri became a separate territory in 1812 and was admitted as a state in 1821.

The name “Missouri” was chosen by the territorial legislature in 1819, and it has been the name of the state ever since.

Montana

The name “Montana” comes from the Spanish word “montaña,” which means “mountain.” The state is named after the Rocky Mountains, which dominate much of the state’s landscape.

The area was first explored by Native American tribes, and it was later visited by French and Spanish explorers in the 18th century. Montana became a territory in 1864 and was admitted as a state in 1889.

The name “Montana” was chosen by the territorial legislature in 1864, and it has been the name of the state ever since.

Nebraska

The name “Nebraska” comes from the Otoe Indian word “Ni Brasge,” which means “flat water” or “broad water.” The state is named after the Platte River, which flows through the state and is known for its broad, shallow channels.

The area was first explored by French and Spanish explorers in the 17th and 18th centuries, and it was part of the Louisiana Territory until the United States acquired it as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Nebraska became a territory in 1854 and was admitted as a state in 1867.

The name “Nebraska” was chosen by the territorial legislature in 1859, and it has been the name of the state ever since.

Nevada

Nevada is a state located in the western region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Spanish word “nevada”, which means “snowy” or “snow-covered”.

The name was given to the area by Spanish explorers in the 18th century, who were struck by the snow-capped mountains in the region.

The name “Nevada” was later adopted by American settlers who arrived in the area, and it eventually became the official name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1864.

las vegas sign; how nevada got its name

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the English county of Hampshire, which was home to Captain John Mason, one of the co-founders of the New Hampshire colony.

The name “New Hampshire” was first used in 1629, when Mason was granted a charter for the region by King Charles I.

The name “New Hampshire” was later adopted by the colony’s residents, and it eventually became the official name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1788.

New Jersey

New Jersey is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the English Channel Island of Jersey, which was home to Sir George Carteret, one of the two co-founders of the New Jersey colony.

Carteret was given the land by King Charles II in 1664, and he named it New Jersey in honor of his home island.

The name “New Jersey” was later adopted by the colony’s residents, and it eventually became the official name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1787.

New Mexico

The name “New Mexico” comes from the country of Mexico, which was named after the Aztec capital city of Mexico-Tenochtitlan. The area that is now New Mexico was first explored by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, and it was named Nuevo México in reference to the country of Mexico.

New Mexico was part of the Spanish Empire until it was acquired by the United States as part of the Mexican-American War in 1848. It became a territory in 1850 and was admitted as a state in 1912.

The name “New Mexico” has been used to refer to the area since the Spanish colonial period, and it has been the name of the state since it was admitted to the Union.

New York

The name “New York” was chosen in honor of the Duke of York, who later became King James II of England. The area that is now New York was first explored by European explorers in the 16th century, and it was claimed by the Dutch and the English at different times.

The English acquired the area in 1664, and they named it New York in honor of the Duke of York, who was the brother of King Charles II. New York became an important center for trade and commerce, and it played an important role in the American Revolution.

The name “New York” has been used to refer to the area since it was named by the English, and it has been the name of the state since it was admitted to the Union in 1788.

North Carolina

The name “North Carolina” was chosen to distinguish the area from South Carolina, which was also part of the original Carolina colony. The colony was founded in 1653 by English colonists, and it became a separate colony in 1712.

North Carolina played an important role in the American Revolution, and it was the site of the first English colony in America, which was established at Roanoke Island in 1585.

The name “North Carolina” has been used to refer to the area since it became a separate colony, and it has been the name of the state since it was admitted to the Union in 1789.

North Dakota

North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Dakota Sioux word “Dakota”, which means “friend” or “ally”.

The name was originally used by the Dakota Sioux to refer to themselves and their language.

The area that is now North Dakota was later settled by European Americans, who adopted the name “Dakota Territory” when it was created in 1861.

When North Dakota was admitted to the Union in 1889, it retained the name “Dakota” in recognition of the state’s Native American heritage.

Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands are a group of islands located in the western Pacific Ocean, and are a US territory.

The islands were named by Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, who called them the “Islas de las Velas Latinas” (Islands of the Latin Sails) due to the traditional sailboat design used by the Chamorro people who lived there.

The islands were later named the “Mariana Islands” in honor of Queen Mariana of Austria, the wife of King Philip IV of Spain.

The Northern Mariana Islands were later ceded to the United States in 1898 after the Spanish-American War, and became a US territory in 1975.

Ohio

Ohio is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Seneca Native American word “ohi:yo'”, which means “great river” or “large creek”.

The word refers to the Ohio River, which forms the state’s southern border. The name “Ohio” was later adopted by American settlers who arrived in the area, and it eventually became the official name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1803.

Oklahoma

The name “Oklahoma” comes from the Choctaw words “okla” and “homa,” which together mean “red people.” The name was chosen in 1866 by the Choctaw Nation, which was forced to relocate to what is now Oklahoma as part of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

The area that is now Oklahoma was originally part of the Louisiana Territory, and it was later part of Indian Territory, which was set aside for Native American tribes in the 19th century. Oklahoma became a separate territory in 1890 and was admitted as a state in 1907.

The name “Oklahoma” was adopted as the name of the territory in 1890, and it has been the name of the state ever since.

Oregon

The name “Oregon” comes from an early 18th-century French map that labeled the Columbia River as “Rivière d’Oregon.” The origin of the word “Oregon” is not clear, but it is thought to be a Native American word, possibly meaning “beautiful water” or “river of the West.”

The area that is now Oregon was explored by Spanish and British explorers in the 16th and 17th centuries, and it was later part of the Oregon Country, which was jointly occupied by the United States and Great Britain in the early 19th century. Oregon became a territory in 1848 and was admitted as a state in 1859.

The name “Oregon” was popularized by the 1846 publication of a novel called “The Adventures of Captain Bonneville” by Washington Irving, which included references to the “Oregon Territory.” The name was later adopted as the name of the territory and the state.

Pennsylvania

The name “Pennsylvania” was chosen in honor of William Penn, who was granted the land by King Charles II of England in 1681. The name means “Penn’s Woods” in reference to the extensive forests that covered the area.

William Penn was a Quaker who founded the colony as a refuge for persecuted religious minorities. Pennsylvania became an important center for trade and commerce, and it played an important role in the American Revolution.

The name “Pennsylvania” has been used to refer to the area since it was named by William Penn, and it has been the name of the state since it was admitted to the Union in 1787.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and a US territory. The island was originally named “San Juan Bautista” (Saint John the Baptist) by Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus when he arrived there in 1493.

However, the island’s current name comes from the Spanish words “rich port”, which refers to the natural harbor of San Juan, the island’s capital and largest city.

The name “Puerto Rico” was first used by Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León in 1508, and it eventually became the official name of the island when it became a US territory in 1898.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States. Despite its name, Rhode Island is not an island, but rather a small state located on the mainland.

The state’s name comes from the Dutch phrase “Roodt Eylandt”, which means “red island”.

The name was given to the area by Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, who arrived there in 1614 and noted the reddish appearance of the island’s soil.

The name “Rhode Island” was later adopted by the colony’s founder, Roger Williams, when he settled there in 1636.

The state was officially named “Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” when it was admitted to the Union in 1790, and the full name is still used in official documents.

South Carolina

South Carolina is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States.

The state’s name comes from King Charles I of England, who granted a charter for the area in 1663 to a group of eight English noblemen known as the “Lords Proprietors”.

The charter named the region “Carolina” in honor of King Charles, whose Latin name was “Carolus”.

When the colony was divided into North Carolina and South Carolina in 1712, the southern part of the colony became known as “South Carolina”. The name “South Carolina” was later retained when the state was admitted to the Union in 1788.

South Dakota

The name “South Dakota” was chosen in reference to the Dakota Territory, which was named after the Dakota Sioux tribe. The name means “allies” or “friends” in the Dakota language.

The area that is now South Dakota was originally part of the Louisiana Territory, and it was later part of the Dakota Territory, which was established in 1861.

South Dakota became a separate territory in 1889 and was admitted as a state in 1889.

The name “South Dakota” was chosen to distinguish the state from North Dakota, which was admitted to the Union on the same day.

The name has been used to refer to the area since it became a separate territory, and it has been the name of the state since it was admitted to the Union.

Tennessee

The name “Tennessee” comes from the Cherokee word “Tanasi,” which was the name of a Cherokee village located near what is now Knoxville, Tennessee.

The name means “meeting place” or “place of the gathering.”

The area that is now Tennessee was explored by Spanish and French explorers in the 16th and 17th centuries, and it was later part of the British colony of Virginia.

Tennessee became a separate state in 1796, making it the 16th state to join the Union.

The name “Tennessee” was chosen by the United States Congress in 1796, and it has been the name of the state ever since.

Texas

The name “Texas” comes from the Caddo Indian word “tejas,” which means “friends” or “allies.”

The area that is now Texas was first explored by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, and it was later part of the Spanish colony of New Spain.

Texas became part of Mexico when Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821. In 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico, and it became an independent republic.

Texas was later annexed by the United States in 1845 and became the 28th state to join the Union.

The name “Texas” was popularized by the Texas Revolution, and it has been the name of the state ever since.

The state is sometimes referred to as the “Lone Star State” because of its flag, which features a lone star on a blue background.

U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands are a group of islands located in the Caribbean Sea, and are a US territory.

The islands were originally inhabited by the Ciboney, Arawak, and Carib peoples before being colonized by European powers.

The islands were later named the “Virgin Islands” by Christopher Columbus in 1493, who named them in honor of Saint Ursula and the 11,000 virgins of the Christian martyr legend.

The islands were later divided into the British Virgin Islands and the Danish West Indies, which became the US Virgin Islands in 1917 after being purchased from Denmark.

Utah

Utah is a state located in the western region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Ute Native American tribe, who were the indigenous inhabitants of the area.

The word “Ute” means “people of the mountains” in the Ute language, which reflects the tribe’s traditional territory in the Rocky Mountains.

The area that is now Utah was later explored by Spanish colonizers, who called the region “Nuevas Filipinas” (New Philippines) due to its similarity to the Philippine Islands.

The name “Utah” was later adopted by American settlers who arrived in the area, and it eventually became the official name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1896.

Vermont

Vermont is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the French phrase “Vert Mont” (Green Mountain), which refers to the state’s mountainous terrain.

The name was first used by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1647, who referred to the area as “Pays des Monts Verts” (Land of the Green Mountains).

The name “Vermont” was later adopted by American settlers who arrived in the area, and it eventually became the official name of the state when it was admitted to the Union in 1791.

Virginia

The name “Virginia” was chosen in honor of Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the “Virgin Queen” because she never married.

The area that is now Virginia was first explored by Spanish and French explorers in the 16th and 17th centuries, and it was later settled by the English in 1607.

Virginia played an important role in the American Revolution, and it was home to many of the country’s founding fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. Virginia was also the site of many important Civil War battles.

The name “Virginia” has been used to refer to the area since it was named by Sir Walter Raleigh in the late 16th century, and it has been the name of the state since it was admitted to the Union in 1788.

Washington

The name “Washington” was chosen in honor of George Washington, the first president of the United States.

The area that is now Washington was originally part of the Oregon Territory, and it was later part of the Washington Territory, which was established in 1853.

Washington became a state in 1889, and it is the only state in the country named after a president.

The name “Washington” has been used to refer to the area since it was named by Captain Robert Gray in 1792, and it has been the name of the state since it was admitted to the Union.

West Virginia

West Virginia was formed in 1863 during the American Civil War, when the western counties of Virginia decided to secede from Virginia and form their own state.

The name “West Virginia” was chosen to distinguish the new state from Virginia.

The area that is now West Virginia was originally part of Virginia and was settled by Europeans in the 18th century. West Virginia played an important role in the Civil War, and it became a separate state in 1863.

The name “West Virginia” has been used to refer to the area since it became a separate state, and it has been the name of the state ever since.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States.

The state’s name comes from the Ojibwe word “Wiskisin” (meaning “place of the beaver”), which reflects the importance of the beaver trade to the Native American tribes that inhabited the area.

The name was later adopted by French fur traders and explorers, who referred to the area as “Ouisconsin” or “Meskousing.”

The name “Wisconsin” was officially adopted when the state was admitted to the Union in 1848.

Wyoming

Wyoming is a state located in the western region of the United States. The state’s name comes from the Lenape word “Maughwauwama” (meaning “large plains”), which was later shortened to “Mahwauo” and “Mahwaua” by French and English explorers.

The name “Wyoming” was later adopted when the Wyoming Territory was created in 1868, and it was chosen because it was believed to be derived from the Lenape word “xwé:wamənk” (meaning “at the big river flat”), which was thought to describe the flat plains and valleys of the state.

FAQs – State Meaning & Origins [Eymology]

What are the US states and territories in alphabetical order?

Here’s a list of the 50 US states and territories in alphabetical order:

Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
U.S. Virgin Islands
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

FAQs – US State Meaning & Origins [Eymology]

What are some fake US state names?

There are many fake or fictional state names that have been created for various purposes, such as in movies, books, or games. Here are a few examples:

Arstotzka (from the video game “Papers, Please”)
Atlantis (from various works of fiction)
Freedonia (from the Marx Brothers movie “Duck Soup”)
San Andreas (from the video game “Grand Theft Auto”)
Krypton (from the Superman comics and movies)
Panem (from the “Hunger Games” books and movies)
Republic of Zubrowka (from the movie “The Grand Budapest Hotel”)
The Tri-State Area (from the TV show “Phineas and Ferb”)
Westeros (from the “Game of Thrones” books and TV show)
Zootopia (from the Disney movie “Zootopia”)

It’s worth noting that while these names are fictional, they can still be used in creative writing or other contexts for fun or creative purposes.

Which states were named after Native American tribes and which were named after colonial figures?

The following states were named after Native American tribes or natural landmarks:

Alabama – named after the Alabama tribe
Arizona – named after the Arizona tribe (part of the larger Apache tribe)
Illinois – named after the Illiniwek or Illini tribe
Iowa – named after the Ioway tribe
Kansas – named after the Kansa tribe
Kentucky – named after the Iroquoian word “Ken-tah-ten,” meaning “land of tomorrow”
Massachusetts – named after the Massachusett tribe
Michigan – named after the Ojibwe (Chippewa) word “mishigamaa,” meaning “large water” or “large lake”
Minnesota – named after the Dakota Sioux word “Mnisota,” meaning “sky-tinted water”
Mississippi – named after the Mississippi River, which was named after the Ojibwe (Chippewa) word “misi-ziibi,” meaning “great river”
Missouri – named after the Missouri River, which was named after the Missouri tribe
Nebraska – named after the Otoe Indian word “Nebrathka,” meaning “flat water”
North Dakota – named after the Dakota Sioux tribe
Oklahoma – named after the Choctaw words “okla” and “homa,” meaning “red people”
South Carolina – named after King Charles I of England
Tennessee – named after the Cherokee village of Tanasi
Texas – named after the Caddo word “tejas,” meaning “friends” or “allies”
Utah – named after the Ute tribe
Wisconsin – named after the Ojibwe (Chippewa) word “wiskonsin,” meaning “place of the beaver”
Wyoming – named after the Lenape word “mënaonëwë,” meaning “large plains”
Connecticut – named after the Connecticut River, which was named after the Mohican (Mohegan) word “quinetucket,” meaning “long tidal river”
Massachusetts – named after the Massachusett tribe and the English settlement of Massachusetts Bay
Ohio – named after the Ohio River, which was named after the Seneca word “ohi:yo’,” meaning “good river”
Oregon – the origin of the name is unclear, but it may have been derived from a Native American word or from a mispronunciation of the French word “Ouragan” (hurricane). The state was also briefly known as the Oregon Territory, named after the Oregon River which was named after a Native American word.
Vermont – named after the French phrase “les verts monts,” meaning “the green mountains”
Nevada – named after the Spanish word “nevada,” meaning “snowy”

The following states were named after colonial figures:

Delaware – named after Lord De La Warr, the first governor of Virginia
Georgia – named after King George II of England
Maryland – named after Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I of England
New Hampshire – named after the county of Hampshire in southern England
New Jersey – named after the English Channel Island of Jersey
New York – named after the Duke of York, who later became King James II of England
North Carolina – named after King Charles I of England
Pennsylvania – named after William Penn, the founder of the Pennsylvania colony
Rhode Island – named after the Greek island of Rhodes
South Dakota – named after the Dakota Territory, which was named after the Dakota Sioux tribe
Virginia – named after Queen Elizabeth I of England
West Virginia – named after the western counties of Virginia, which seceded during the Civil War to form their own state.
Washington – named after George Washington, the first president of the United States. The state was originally part of the Washington Territory, which was named after Washington, D.C.
Louisiana – named after King Louis XIV of France
Florida – named by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in 1513, who named the area “La Florida,” meaning “land of flowers.” It was officially named a state in 1845, well after the colonial period.

Which letters of the alphabet don’t have a state name that start with them?

The following letters of the alphabet do not have a state name that starts with them:

Conclusion – US State Meaning & Origins [Eymology]

Here are the meaning and origins of the names of the 50 US states:

Alabama: The name “Alabama” comes from the Choctaw language and means “thicket clearers” or “vegetation gatherers.” It refers to the Native American tribes that lived in the area and used the land for agriculture.
Alaska: The name “Alaska” comes from the Aleut language and means “great land” or “mainland.” It was named by the Russians, who first explored the area in the 18th century.
Arizona: The name “Arizona” comes from the Spanish word “arizonac,” which means “little spring.” It refers to the many small springs that can be found throughout the state.
Arkansas: The name “Arkansas” comes from the French word “Arkansas,” which was the name of a Native American tribe that lived in the area. The pronunciation was changed over time, with the final “s” being silent.
California: The name “California” comes from a Spanish novel called “Las Sergas de Esplandián,” which tells the story of an island paradise called California. The name was later applied to the land that is now the state of California.
Colorado: The name “Colorado” comes from the Spanish word “colorado,” which means “ruddy” or “colored red.” It refers to the red sandstone formations that can be found throughout the state.
Connecticut: The name “Connecticut” comes from the Mohegan word “quinnehtukqut,” which means “long tidal river.” It refers to the Connecticut River, which runs through the state.
Delaware: The name “Delaware” comes from the name of an English nobleman, Sir Thomas West, who was also known as Lord De La Warr. The name was later applied to the river and bay that run through the state.
Florida: The name “Florida” comes from the Spanish word “florido,” which means “flowery” or “full of flowers.” It refers to the lush vegetation that can be found throughout the state.
Georgia: The name “Georgia” was chosen in honor of King George II of England, who granted the charter for the colony in 1732.
Hawaii: The name “Hawaii” comes from the Hawaiian language and means “place of the gods.” It refers to the many gods and goddesses that are a part of Hawaiian mythology.
Idaho: The name “Idaho” is believed to be a made-up word that was created by a lobbyist for the territory in the 1860s. It was eventually adopted as the name of the territory and later the state.
Illinois: The name “Illinois” comes from the Native American tribe that lived in the area, the Illiniwek. The name means “men” or “warriors” in the tribe’s language.
Indiana: The name “Indiana” comes from the word “Indian,” which was commonly used to refer to Native Americans. The state was originally part of the Indiana Territory, which was created in 1800.
Iowa: The name “Iowa” comes from the Native American tribe that lived in the area, the Iowa. The name means “sleepy ones” or “drowsy ones” in the tribe’s language.
Kansas: The name “Kansas” comes from the Native American tribe that lived in the area, the Kansa. The name means “people of the south wind” in the tribe’s language.
Kentucky: The name “Kentucky” comes from the Wyandot word “Ken-tah-ten,” meaning the “land of tomorrow”.
Louisiana: The state of Louisiana was named in honor of King Louis XIV of France. The state’s early French explorers named the area “La Louisiane” in honor of the king, and the name eventually evolved into Louisiana.
Maine: The state of Maine’s name is believed to have come from the French province of Maine. The name may have been chosen because of the state’s similar climate to the French region.
Maryland: The state of Maryland was named in honor of Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I of England. The state’s first governor, Sir George Calvert, was a Catholic who hoped to create a refuge for English Catholics in the New World, and he named the colony in honor of the queen, who was also a Catholic.
Massachusetts: The state of Massachusetts was named after the indigenous people who inhabited the area before the arrival of the Europeans. The word “Massachusetts” comes from the Massachusett tribe, which inhabited the area around Boston and eastern Massachusetts.
Michigan: The state of Michigan’s name comes from the Ojibwe word “mishigamaa,” which means “large water” or “large lake.” The state is surrounded by the Great Lakes, so the name is fitting.
Minnesota: The state of Minnesota’s name comes from the Dakota Sioux word “mni sota,” which means “sky-tinted water.” The name refers to the state’s many lakes and rivers.
Mississippi: The state of Mississippi’s name comes from the Ojibwe word “misi-ziibi,” which means “great river.” The state is named after the Mississippi River, which forms the state’s western border.
Missouri: The state of Missouri’s name comes from the Missouri River, which forms part of the state’s border. The river’s name is believed to come from the Native American tribe that once inhabited the area, the Missouria.
Montana: The state of Montana’s name comes from the Spanish word “montaña,” which means “mountain.” The name was given to the area by early Spanish explorers because of the state’s mountainous terrain.
Nebraska: The name comes from the Native American Otoe tribe’s word “Ní Btháska” which means “flat water” or “broad water,” referring to the Platte River which runs through the state.
Nevada: The name is derived from the Spanish words “Sierra Nevada,” which means “snowy range” in reference to the mountain range that runs through the state.
New Hampshire: The state was named by Captain John Mason in honor of the English county of Hampshire, which is where he was born.
New Jersey: The state was named in honor of Sir George Carteret’s defense of the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel during the English Civil War.
New Mexico: The state was named by the Spanish for the land north of the Rio Grande River, which was known as the Nuevo México or “New Mexico.”
New York: The state was named in honor of the Duke of York and Albany, who later became King James II of England.
North Carolina: The state was named in honor of King Charles I of England, who granted the land to Sir Robert Heath in 1629, and named it “Carolana” or “Land of Charles.”
North Dakota: The state’s name comes from the Sioux word “Dakota,” which means “friend” or “ally.”
Ohio: The state was named in honor of the Ohio River, which was named by the Seneca Indians and means “great river” in Iroquoian.
Oklahoma: The name comes from the Choctaw words “okla” meaning “people” and “humma” meaning “red,” which together mean “red people.”
Oregon: The state’s name comes from the French word “Ouragan,” which means “hurricane” or “windstorm.” It was originally used to describe the strong winds that blew along the coast.
Pennsylvania: The state was named in honor of William Penn, the founder of the colony and the son of Admiral William Penn.
Rhode Island: The state’s name comes from the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, who named it “Roodt Eylandt” meaning “red island” after the red clay on the island’s shore.
South Carolina: The state was named in honor of King Charles I of England, who granted the land to eight of his supporters in 1663.
South Dakota: The state’s name comes from the Sioux word “Dakota,” which means “friend” or “ally.”
Tennessee: The state’s name comes from the Cherokee word “Tana-see,” which means “The Meeting Place.”
Texas: The state’s name comes from the Caddo word “Tejas,” which means “friends” or “allies.”
Utah: The name comes from the Ute tribe, who lived in the region and means “people of the mountains.”
Vermont: The state’s name comes from the French words “vert mont,” meaning “green mountain.”
Virginia: The state was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the “Virgin Queen.”
Washington: The state was named in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States.
West Virginia: The state was formed during the Civil War when the western counties of Virginia broke away from the rest of the state to form a new state loyal to the Union. It was named “West Virginia” to distinguish it from the existing state of Virginia.
Wisconsin: The state’s name comes from the Ojibwe word “meskonsing,” meaning “this river meanders through something red.” It may have referred to the red sandstone bluffs along the Wisconsin River.
Wyoming: The state’s names is derived from “Maughwauwama” (meaning “large plains”), later truncated to “Mahwauo” and “Mahwaua” by French and English explorers.

European Names