For a few examples: Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Wisconson, etc.
2006-06-26 15:48:45 · 7 answers · asked by scummibear 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Most of the states come from words in different languages. They were not always named by the people who they were named after, and sometimes their translations sound pretty dumb...
New York is because it was originally a colony of the Duke of York.
Florida means flowered in Spanish (the original owner of the land)
Colorado means colored in Spanish (due to the colorful mountains and rocks)
Pennsylvania was Penn's Woods
I know some of them, but I'd like to know about Utah and Arkansas... and Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska..? I get the feeling like lots of the names come from Native American words as well, possibly?
2006-06-26 15:56:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Massachusetts was named for the Indian chief Masochist (father to Pocahontas
newyork,newhahpshire and newjersy were named for english states
vermont was named by the french Vern (green) mont (mountain)
florida by Hernadas DE Soto of spain (land of flowers)
2006-06-27 05:14:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Pennslyvania means "Penn's Woods" because Sylvan is the latin term for woods/forest and William Penn was a major player in the founding of the colony.
Virginia was named after Queen Elizabeth who was the "Virgin Queen."
The rest of the state name origins can be found here: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0854966.html
2006-06-26 15:51:33 · answer #3 · answered by kinsey_ad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Carolinas named after King Charles - Carolinus is the Latin form of the name. I believe that Oklahoma comes from the Indian word for "Red Man": - it makes sense since "homa/homo" is Latin for man.
2006-06-26 16:05:26 · answer #4 · answered by bevl78 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
[pennsylvania=named for william penn
maryland=named as a tribute to the virgin Mary as it was the first catholic colony.
georgia=king george 3
texas=tejas the indian word for friends
louisiana=king louis the 14 of france
new york=duke of york
new mexico=named after old mexico
washington=george the dollar bill guy
ida ho=hooker named ida
illinois=sick in nose
colorado=spanish word for red
new hampshire= old hampshie england
florida=spanish word for flower covered
mississippi=the wife of charles powell aka c. p
indiana=old indian named ana
2006-06-26 16:01:22 · answer #5 · answered by Steve E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Colorado derives from Spanish for Colore (Color) Rojo (Red)....for the red colored rocks and soil.
Nebraska means "Flat Water"....though I can't remember which Native American language that is from.
2006-06-26 16:19:16 · answer #6 · answered by NateTrain 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our Fore Fathers!
2006-06-26 15:54:34 · answer #7 · answered by Sister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋