Etymological Map of America

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America’s rich tapestry of stories is woven into the fabric of its landscape, with many tales embedded in the place names of the cities and states. Understanding the meanings behind these names offers insights into the development of the land, its history, and its culture over the centuries. Not only does this deepen our appreciation of our surroundings, but it also enriches our vocabulary and occasionally aids in solving crossword puzzles, a sentiment strongly endorsed by WordTips.

Take, for example, Missoula, which translates to “River of Ambush” in Montana, evoking memories of inter-tribal conflicts. Similarly, Manchester, New Hampshire, derives its name from “Breast-like Hill,” harking back to the voluptuous mound upon which a Roman fort was constructed around 79 CE in Manchester, UK. Centuries later, Samuel Blodget, inspired by the barge canals of the British Manchester, spearheaded the construction of similar waterways in his New Hampshire town and suggested adopting its namesake.

But what about the rest of the U.S.? Armed with our etymology hats, we delved into dictionary country, scouring sources such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Online Etymology Dictionary, the Encyclopedia Britannica, the American Library Association, and regional news reports. Our quest uncovered the literal meanings behind the names of each U.S. state, its capital city, and 178 of America’s largest cities.

Literal Translations of State Names and Their Capital Cities Across the U.S.

Names sometimes transcend boundaries. Both the state of Kansas and Kansas City, MO, derive their names from the Kansas River, which, in turn, honors the Kanza tribe, translating as ‘People of the Southwind.’

Interestingly, there exists a lesser-known Kansas City within the state of Kansas itself. This city adopted its name from its Missouri counterpart, hoping to leverage the fame of the Missouri town. According to local history teacher Matt Beat, “KCK wanted to capitalize on the success of KCMO and essentially mislead visitors into believing they were in the authentic Kansas City.

While numerous state names honor Native history or describe geographical features, others carry traces of colonial influence. The Carolinas, for instance, owe their name to King Charles II and his father, Charles I. The territory was initially chartered by Charles II, who bestowed the name in honor of his father. Additionally, the capitals of both Carolinas pay homage to European explorers, with Sir Walter Raleigh and Christopher Columbus lending their names to these cities.

The Literal Translation of Major City Names in the Northwestern U.S.

In addition to the straightforward meanings of city names like ‘Anchorage’ (a place suitable for anchoring) and ‘Portland’ (land surrounding a harbor), the Northwestern U.S. boasts some lesser-known etymologies, both of Native and settler origin.

Honolulu, for instance, derives from the Hawaiian language: ‘hono’ meaning ‘port’ and ‘lulu’ meaning ‘calm.’ Interestingly, the name traces back to British Captain William Brown, who initially named the port Fair Haven upon his arrival in 1794. Before this, Hawaiians referred to the area as Ke ʻAwa O Kou, meaning ‘the harbor of Kou.’

Meanwhile, Boise, Idaho, takes its name from the French word for ‘wooded area.’ However, the name’s origins are influenced by English as well: fur traders passing through the region called it the Wooded River, a name later translated by French trappers.

When surveying the area in the 1830s, the French United States Army officer B.L.E. Bonneville had the final say, choosing French over English.

The Literal Meanings Behind Major City Names in the Southwestern U.S.

Many major cities in the Southwestern U.S. bear names that honor notable individuals. Reno, for instance, pays tribute to Jesse Lee Reno, a Virginia-born Union general who met his demise during the battle of Fox’s Gap. The official announcement regarding the city’s naming stated:
“The name of the new town on the C.P.R.R. at the junction of the contemplated branch road to Virginia City in Nevada, is Reno, in honor of General Reno, who fell gloriously fighting in defense of the flag against the assault of traitors in rebellion.”

Similarly, Orem, Utah, derives its name from Walter Orem, a prominent figure in mining and railroad development who constructed the state’s inaugural electric railroad. However, the town’s naming was more an act of flattery than gratitude towards Orem’s contributions. In 1919, as the town faced a critical juncture in its expansion efforts, requiring investment for incorporation and the establishment of a networked water system, it was named after Orem in hopes of securing his support. Prior to this, the area had been known as Provo Bench.

The Literal Meanings Behind Major City Names in the Southeastern U.S.

In September 1687, Henri Joutel noted in his writings: “We arrived at the said place called Chicagou which, according to what we were able to learn of it, has taken this name because of the quantity of garlic which grows in the forests in this region.”

Other accounts suggest that the name Chicago may have originated from the Algonquian word sheka:ko:heki, meaning “place of the wild onion,” or possibly from the Ojibwa word for skunk. Regardless of its precise origins, it appears that odor was a prominent characteristic of the area before the establishment of the town of Chicago in 1833.

Topeka, on the other hand, translates from the Kansa (Siouan) language as “A Good Place to Dig Potatoes.” The founders chose this name in 1855 with originality in mind. Fry W. Giles, a banker and city founder, described Topeka as “a name not found in the list of post offices of the United States, nor in any lexicon of the English language. It was novel, of Indian origin, and euphonious of sound.”

The Literal Meanings of Major City Names in the Southeastern U.S.

Understanding that Baton Rouge means “red stick” doesn’t require fluency in French. But why was Louisiana named “red stick”? In 1699, French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville stumbled upon the area and spotted a reddened pole adorned with sacrificial fish and bear heads by the Native inhabitants. This visual left an impression on d’Iberville, leading him to refer to the area as Baton Rouge when the French colonized it.

Among the most intriguing place names in the study is Memphis. The city took its name from the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, which translates to “enduring and beautiful” or “Place of Good Abode,” depending on interpretation. The founders, John Overton, James Winchester, and Andrew Jackson, were less concerned with etymology; they chose the name because both cities stand beside vast rivers.

The Literal Meanings Behind Major City Names in the Northeastern U.S.

Some city name translations in the Northeast are well-known or easy to understand, such as Philadelphia (from the Greek for “brotherly love”) or Portland (the land around a port). Others require a bit more digging.

Would you be able to identify the city name that translates to Botolph’s Stone if it wasn’t labeled on our map? Boston was named after a town in Lincolnshire, England, which, in turn, was named after Botolph, the patron saint of travelers. The second part of the name could derive from “stone” or perhaps from “tun,” the Old English word for village.

The Dutch colonized New Netherland, which included parts of present-day New York City, Long Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey, with the city of New Amsterdam located on today’s Manhattan Island.

However, in 1664, James II of England, the Duke of York, captured the island, leading to the city receiving its eventual name.

If that sounds odd and European, remember the city was briefly called New Orange when the Dutch briefly recaptured it in 1673.

Methodology

The WordTips team compiled research from a diverse array of sources, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Online Etymology Dictionary, the Encyclopedia Britannica, the American Library Association, historical records, and regional news reports. The aim was to unveil the literal meanings behind the names of each U.S. state, their respective capital cities, and 178 of the most populated cities scattered across the country.

The investigation delved into various aspects of etymology, considering cases where a state or city was named after a person or significant event, where the words in a location’s name evolved in meaning from an earlier version of English or another language, or according to the significance behind another location after which a U.S. state or city was named.

This project’s research was concluded in January 2024.