Native American Heritage Month, 2025. Name the US States derived from Native- American Words

—Did you know that more than half of all U.S. states are derived from Native American words or were named after Native American tribes? 

This is not a story of the past. It’s a living heartbeat that still echoes across America.

Native American Heritage Month, 2025

Did you know that more than half of all U.S. states are derived from Native American words or were named after Native American tribes? 

(And please excuse me if I mispronounce any names.)  First is Alabama.

1. Alabamais named after the Alabama – or Alibamu – tribe. Some say the word “Alabama” means “clearers of the thicket” or “herb gatherers.” 

2. Alaska is named after the Aleut word “Alyeska” meaning “great land.”

3. Arizonais named after the O’odham word “alĭ ṣonak” meaning “small spring.” 

4. Connecticutcomes from the Mohican word“quonehtacutmeaning “beside the long tidal river.”

5. Hawaiiin the Hawaiian language means “homeland.”   This is a very beautiful island with lush green jungles, sandy beaches, palm trees, waterfalls, and amazing sunsets. 

6.  Idahois a little tricky.  It can come from several origins, including the Salmon River tribe and their words “Ida” meaning salmon, and “ho” meaning tribe – so, the land of “Salmon eaters.” 

7. Illinois is derived from the Illini’s word “illiniwek” meaning “best people.” 

8. Iowais named after the Iowas – or Ioways – a Sioux tribe.  It comes from their word “ah-hee-oo-ba” meaning “sleepy ones.”

9. Kansas is named after the Kaws – or Kansa – Indians, who are another Sioux tribe, with the word meaning “south wind people.”

10. Kentuckyis a bit more difficult to determine.  It may be named after the Iroquois word “Ken-tah-ten” meaning “land of tomorrow.”

11. Michigan comes from the Chippewa word “Meicigama” meaning “great water.”  Michigan is home to over 64,000 lakes and waterways, including Lake Superior, so it sure does have a lot of great water! 

12. Minnesota comes from the Dakota Indian word “Minisota” meaning “cloudy water” or “sky-tinted water.”

13. Mississippi is derived from the Ojibwe or Algonquin word “misi-ziibi” and means “great river.”  It is named after the great Mississippi River that runs through the state.

14. Missouricomes from a Missouri Sioux word meaning “town of the large canoes,” “wooden canoe people,” “he of the big canoe,” or “river of the big canoes.” 

15. Nebraska comes from the Oto Indians and their word “Nebrathka” meaning “flat water.”

16. New Mexico is said to mean “place of Mexitli,” an Aztec god.

17. Ohiois derived from an Iroquois word meaning “good river.”

18. Oklahomacomes from the Choctaw words “okla humma” and means “red people.”

19/20. South and North Dakotacome from the Sioux word “Dahkota” meaning “friend.”

21. Tennessee comes from Creek and Cherokee origins.  The word “Tanasqui” is said to mean “meeting place,” “winding river,” or “river of the great bend,” and was also the name of a Cherokee village.

22. Texas derives from the Caddo Indian word “teyshas,” meaning “friends” or “allies.”

23. Utahcomes from the Apache language and their word “yuttahih” meaning “people of the mountains.”

24. Wisconsin is another bit of tricky history.  One source states that the name comes from an Indian word “Wishkonsing” meaning “place of the beaver.”

25. Wyoming comes from the Delaware Indians and the shortening of their word “mecheweamiing” meaning “at the big plains.” 

We owe a large debt of gratitude to the Native American Indian tribes who settled America long before immigrants arrived from other countries.  

You are welcome to add more facts, regarding this topic, and the State in which you live.