Did you know that many of the U.S. state names originate from indigenous words or phrases?
The origin and meaning of the name "Kentucky" is controversial. Pioneer George Rogers Clark claimed the name was derived from the Native American word "Kentake," meaning "meadow land." A claim is also made that it stems from the Shawnee word meaning "at the head of a river" inasmuch as the Kentucky River was used in traveling throughout the area. It is also claimed to stem from the Wyandot word "Ken-tah-ten," meaning "land of tomorrow."
While we may be unsure of the true meaning of the name, "Kentucky", we do know this land is and has been home to indigenous peoples for several thousand years. Today and everyday we celebrate the rich indigenous culture that forms the great state we know today!
To learn more about state names and origins, check out this link! https://www.bia.gov/.../online.../origin-names-us-states.
Original source can be found here.
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