First, buckeye refers to buckeye trees, which is a nutlike seed that looks like the eye of a deer, once it’s had a chance to dry out.
Buckeye is actually a term that was indirectly coined by Native Americans.
They called the nut “hetuck” which translates to buckeye.
When Europeans spread out to Ohio, they noticed the overwhelming abundance of buckeye trees, thus the association began.
The reference became so popular, in fact, that half a century later, buckeye wood was used to make trinkets to mark the successful campaign of President William Harrison in 1840.
If someone from that era traveled forward in time to now, they’d be right at home.
These trees are still gracing the land all over the state.
So, it’s not surprising that Ohio State University is known as the Buckeyes.