How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Alabama

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It was originally called or referred to by various names, such as land of herb gatherers and, or, clearer of thickets. Originally the name Alabama was associated with the natives who used to live there.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Arkansas

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Arkansas was once known as the land of the down river people. It’s name is similar to Kansas, but the reason it’s slightly different is because the native word: Akakaze attributed to the current name of this State.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Alaska

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Alaska’s literal meanings are a little hard to understand. It means the object to which the direction of the sea, or river, is associated with. It is believed that the Russians gave this State the name of Alaska.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Arizona

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Arizona’s traditional name was Ali Sonnak, which later changed to Arissona. It means “small spring.”

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

California

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The name of California goes all the way back to 1510. It was said that the land was once ruled by Queen Calafia, which changed to Caliph as time passed. Eventually it became California, which is the modern name of the region.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Colorado

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Colorado means red color, and the meaning applies to the Colorado River and the Colorado City. This name was given to the State by the Spanish settlers.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Connecticut

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The natives originally called it Quinnehtukqut, land of the long tidal river. Later on as time passed by and new generations replaced the older ones, the name changed to its modern version.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Delaware

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Baron De La Warr was the baron and original Governor General of the Virginia Colonoy. The name of the State is to honor him in one way or another.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Florida

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Florida is also called the land of sunshine and flowers. Spanish settlers gave this State that name because they somehow associated it with flowers and plants.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Georgia

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Obviously, the name of this State was set in the honor of King George II. Some say that it was Saint George who inspired Georgians to name the State that way.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Hawaii

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Hawaii borrows inspiration from the French Invaders. If you were to look at the flag of Hawaii, you will see some similarity in colors of French flag and the Hawaiian flag. The State was originally named: Kauai

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Idaho

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On a lighter note, the name of Idaho was actually taken from Ida, a woman that Doctor George M Willing had a thing for. However, he always claimed that Idaho means gem of the mountains. Some also believe that Idaho’s real name attributes to Idaahe, a term which means “enemy” in Apache linguistics. 

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Illinois

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Illinois traditionally means “to speak normally”. The French are said to have named the State in the first place.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Indiana

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Indiana, or Indian refers to the natives who used to live off the land hundreds of years ago.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Iowa

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Iowa is also said to have gotten its name during or after the French settlement. It means “sleepy ones” or sleeping ones.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Kansas

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Kansas was originally known as Kansaw. The name means “wind” according to the natives.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Kentucky

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Kentucky is also famous for the fried chicken and burger joints under the name of KFC. On a series note, the name means on the prairie.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Louisiana

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Right before year 1806, Louisiana was operated and owned by the French. They named the State in the honor of King Louis the Great. However, U.S. settlers bought the entire region and renamed it to Louisiana.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Maine

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Maine was known as Broadmayne, but that’s just a far fetched theory. It is not clear who named the State; was it the French or the English settlers?

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Maryland

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King Charles I, named the State of Maryland in the living memory of his wife: Henrietta Maria. 

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Massachusetts

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Massachusetts is the plural form of the original word: Massachussett, which is an indirect reference to the great hill. However, the State lost the meaning of its name through the years. 

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Michigan

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The name of State of Michigan is inspired by the Lake Michigan. The State was originally called: Mishigami, which literally means area of great water.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Minnesota

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Plain and simple, the meaning of Minnesota is cloudy or murky water. Take one look at the Minnesota River and you’ll know why. 

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Mississippi

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That’s a bit of a tongue twister. Anyhow, Mississippi was originally called Misi-Ziibi, which means great river.

How much do you know about your favorite U.S. States? Of course we are not questioning your intelligence because that’d be rude to say the least. But you’d be amazed that when it comes to the meanings of some of the most popular U.S. States names, a lot of Americans are left clueless.

Missouri

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Missouri originally belonged to the ancient natives who used to call the land by the name of Mihsoori. They were known for creating canoes from dead trees to help travel across the Missouri River.