Below is an article about the name origins of some of the states. It was originally published in 1879 and include popular state names which are still in use today.
Origin of the Names of States
Maine was so called as early as 1623, from Maine, in France, of which Henrietta Maria, Queen of England, was at that time proprietor. Popular name – The Lumber or Pine Tree State.
New Hampshire was the name given to the territory conveyed by the Plymouth Company to Captain John Mason, by patent, November 7, 1629, with reference to the patentee, who was Governor of Portsmouth in Hampshire, England. Popular name – The Granite State.
Vermont was so called by the inhabitants in their Declaration of Independence, January 16, 1777, from the French verd mont, The Green Mountains. Popular name – The Green Mountain State.
Massachusetts was so called from Massachusetts Bay, and that from the Massachusetts tribe of Indians, in the neighborhood of Boston. The tribe is thought to have derived its name from the Blue Hills of Milton. “I have learnt,” says Roger Williams, “that the Massachusetts were so called from the Blue Hills.” Popular name – The Bay State.
Rhode Island was so called in 1664, in reference to the Island of Rhodes, in the Mediterranean. Popular name – Little Rhody.
Connecticut was so called from the Indian name of its principal river. Connecticut is a Mocheakannew word, signifying long river. The popular name – The Nutmeg or Free-Stone State.
New York was so called in 1664, in reference to the Duke of York and Albany, to whom this territory was granted by the King of England. Popular name – The Empire or Excelsior State.
New Jersey was so called in 1664, from the Island of Jersey, on the coast of France, the residence of the family of Sir George Carteret, to whom the territory was granted.
Pennsylvania was so called in 1681, after William Penn. Popular name – The Keystone State.
Delaware was so called in 1703, from Delaware Bay, on which it lies, and which received its name from Lord de la War, who died in this bay. Popular name – The Blue Hen or Diamond State.
Maryland was called in honor of Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I., in his patent to Lord Baltimore, June 30, 1632.
Virginia was so called in 1584, after Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen of England. Popular name – The Old Dominion or Mother of States.
Carolina was so called by the French in 1464, in honor of King Charles IX., of France. Popular name of South Carolina – The Palmetto State; of North Carolina – The Old North or Turpentine State.
Georgia was so called in 1732, in honor of King George II.
Alabama was so called in 1814, from its principal river, meaning “Here we rest.”
Mississippi was so called in 1800 from western boundary, Mississippi is said to denote the whole river, i.e., the river formed by the union of many. Popular name – The Bayou State.
Louisiana was so called in honor of Louis XIV., of France. Popular name – The Creole State.
Tennessee was so called in 1796, from its principal river. The word Ten-as-se is said to signify a carved spoon. Popular name – The Big Bend State.
Kentucky was so called in 1792, from its principal river. Popular name – The State of Dark and Bloody Ground.
Illinois was so called in 1809, from its principal river. The word is said to signify the river of men. Popular name – The Sucker or Prairie State.
Indiana was so called in 1809, from the American Indians. Popular name – The Hoosier State.
Ohio was so called in 1802, from its southern boundary. Popular name – Buckeye State. Meaning of Indian word Ohio, i.e., Beautiful.
Missouri was so called in 1821, from its principal river. Indian name meaning muddy water.
Michigan was so called in 1805, from the lake on its border. Indian name meaning a wier for water. Popular name – the Wolverine State.
Arkansas was so called in 1812, from its principal river. Indian name. Popular name – The Bear State.
Florida was so called by Juan Pounce de Leon in 1572, because it was discovered on Easter Sunday, in Spanish, Puscua Florida.
Wisconsin was so called from its principal river. Indian name meaning wild rushing river.
Iowa was so called from its principal river. Indian name meaning the sleepy ones. Popular name – Hawkeye State.
Oregon was so called from its principal river. Indian name meaning river of the West.
Minnesota is also an Indian word, meaning the whitish water.
California, a Spanish word, and named from an arm in the Pacific Ocean. Popular name – The Golden State.
Texas, a Spanish word, applied to the Republic. Popular name – The Lone Star State.
Kansas is an Indian name, meaning the smoky water.
West Virginia so called after Virginia.
Nevada is a Spanish word, meaning white with snow.
Source: The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.), 02 Sept. 1879.
