The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-02
THE WAVES or srArEs.
Their Origin aud What They Mean.

Their Origin aud what They Mean.
From the Philadelphia Times.
In our chat last Saturday about the col
loquila names Of the staieg Of The union
and the history OF the application r5~raof
you were asked to aid in giving the miss
ing nine nlcknames out of forty-nve.
Later, The narrator thought OF au5tner--
reducing the absentees 20 eight. lie had
forgotten Nevada. the Silver State, Of
course. owing to its unparalleled argenti-
ferrous wealth. Now comes a most iu-
tersting communication that While ia does
not supply The hiatus is stiR rich in valu-
abe Information. The problem before us
was not the meaning Of the law-glven
I names Of the states of The union, but
the coiloquial titles they enjoy and the
meaning thereof. Nevertheless what our
correspondent wishes placed before you is
wen worth listening to. Here it IS.
Your reply to the inquiry as to the
definitions, or meanings of the names Of
states and territories, ] have read with
much interest, and as you have suggested
that the missing links he supplied, } here
with add what rust viii complete the
chain:
alabama comes from a Greek word
and signifies Land OF Rest
Nebraska means Shallow waters
Oregon is a Spanish word signifyiHg
Wales of wild thyme
Dakota means leagued or allied tribes
Wyoming is an Indian word for big
plains.
washington gets its name from our
first President
Montana means mountainous.
Idaho is name that has never been
satisfactorily accounted for.
California is a name in much dispute
Some writers say it first appeared in
Spanish romance in $3.50. the heroine be-
ing an AmaZOniau named California
Colorado is a Spanish word applied 10
that portion of the Rocky mountains on
account Of their many colored peaks.
'Conneeticut's real name is Queen en-
means long river
Delaware derives its name from Thorn
as West. Lord de la War;
Florida gets its name from Kannmas
de Flores, or Feast of the Flowers
Georgia had its name bestowed when
it was colony, in honor Of Georgia H.
illinois is supposed to De derived from
an Indian word which was intended TO
mean superior race OF men.
Indiana means land of Indians
Iowa is named from an Indian tribe,
the Kiowas, so called by the Illinois IN
dams, because they were across the
river.
kansas is based the same as Arkansas,
and in three or four Indian interpreta-
lons the best being that it signifies
smoking waters the French prefix Ark
mighty snow
Kentucky is derived from the Indian
word Kahn TUX, signifying Something
great IL does not mean. as some sup
pose, dark and bloody ground
Il lOuiSilna. was so named in. honor of
Louis XIV.
maine takes its name from the PROV
ince of Maine i'm France, and was so call
ed as compliment to the Queen of
Charles l, Henrietta, who was Hs owner
Maryland also was named in honor Of
Henrietta Maria, queen of Charles l.
Massachusetts is an Indian word sig
nifying Country above the great hills
Michigan is from an Indian words and
means Great lake.
mississippi is Natchez word, and
means Father of Waters
missouri means Muddy waters
Nevada is a Spanish word signifying
'Snow-covered mountains
New Hampshire took its name from
Hampshire, England. 1t was originally
called 'Lanconia.
New Jersey was named for Sir George
Carter, who was at that time Governor
of the Island of Jersey, in the British
channel.
New York was so named as compli-
r1ent to the Duke of York, whose brother,
Charles H. granted him that territory.
THE Coroinas got their names from
Charles (Carolus) H.
Pennsylvania takes its name from
William Penn. the sylvia part of it
meaning woods. Literally it is Penns
woods
Rhode Island gets its name from its
fancied resemblance to the Island Of
Rhodes in the Mediterranean
Tennessee, according to some writer's.
IS from Tenasea. an Indian chief; others
nave it 10 mean River of the big bend
Texas was called by the Spanish mis-
sionaries of 1924 iMixtecap' and the peo-
pie MiXtecas. From the last word the
name of Texas is supposed to have been
derived.
Virginia got its name from Queen
Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen
Wisconsin IS an Indian word meaning
Wild, rushing waters