Origin of U.S. State Names

Corruption of Aleut word meaning “great land” or “that which the sea breaks against”

Named after a mythical island described in a popular novel of the time: Las Sergas de Esplandián. c. 1500

From the Spanish, “ruddy” or “red”

From the Spanish meaning “feast of flowers” (Easter)

In honor of George II of England

Meaning “land of Indians”

From an Iroquoian word “Ken-tah-ten” meaning “land of tomorrow”

In honor of Louis XIV of France

From the Spanish word meaning “mountain.”

Spanish: “snowcapped”

In honor of the Duke of York

From an Indian word meaning “friends”

From the French meaning “green mountain”