THE REAL NORTH AMERICANS WERE INDIANS AND THEIR NAMES ARE NAMED AFTER THE PLACE OF THEIR TRIBE NAME Half of all US states, 25 to be exact, are named after Native Americans. We will take a look at some of the 25 states and the meaning of their names. They will be listed in alphabetical order. 1. Alabama: Named after the Alabama tribe, or Alibamu, a Muskogean-speaking tribe. Sources are divided between the meanings "clearers of the thicket" or "gatherers of herbs." 2. Alaska: Named after the Aleut word “alaxsxaq,” meaning “the mainland” 3. Arizona: Named after the O'odham word “al ĭ ṣonak,” meaning “little spring” 4. Connecticut: Named after the Mohican word “quonehtacut,” meaning “place of the long tidal river” 5. Hawaii: Original Hawaiian word meaning “homeland” 6. Illinois: Named after the Illinois word “illiniwek,” meaning “men” 7. Iowa: Named after the Ioway tribe, whose name means “gray snow” 8. Kansas: Named after the Kansa tribe, whose name means “people of the south wind” 9. Kentucky: Origins unclear, may have been named after the Iroquoian word “Kentake,” meaning “in the meadow” 10. Massachusetts: Named after the Algonquin word “Massadchu-es-et,” meaning “big-hill-little-place.” 11. Michigan: From the Chippewa word “Michigama,” meaning “big lake.” 12. Minnesota: Named after the Dakota Indian word “Minisota” meaning “white water.” 13. Mississippi: Named after the river that was named by the Choctaw, meaning “big water” or “father of waters.” 14. Missouri: Named after the Missouri tribe whose name means “those who have dug canoes.” Native American Pride