EncycloReader

The following list includes settlements, geographic features, and political subdivisions of Minnesota whose names are derived from Native American languages.

Listings[edit]

State[edit]

Minnesota – from the Dakota phrase mni-sota, meaning "turbid water".^[1]^[2]

Counties[edit]

Anoka County
- Shared with the city of Anoka.
Chippewa County
Chisago County – shortened from the Ojibwe language: Gichi-zaaga'igan "Big lake"
Dakota County
Isanti County
- Shared with the city of Isanti
Kanabeck County – from the Ojibwe language: Ginebiko-ziibiing "At the Snake River"
Kandiyohi County
- Shared with the city of Kandiyohi
Koochiching County – from the Ojibwe language: Gojijiing "At the inlet"
Mahnomen County – from the Ojibwe language: Manoomin "Wild rice"
- Shared with the city of Mahnomen
Wabasha County
Wadena County
- Shared with the city of Wadena.
Waseca County
- Shared with the city of Waseca.
Watonwan County
Winona County
- Shared with the city of Winona.

Settlements[edit]

Ah-gwah-ching – from the Ojibwe language: Agwajiing "Outdoors"
Bejou – from the Ojibwe language: Bizhiw "bobcat, lynx"
Bemidji – Shortened from the Ojibwe language: Bemijigamaag "Traversing lake"
- Lake Bemidji
Bena – From the Ojibwe language: Bine "grouse, partridge"
Chanhassen
Chaska
Chengwatana – from the Ojibwe language: Zhingwaadena "Pine-town"
Chokio
Cohasset
Cokato
Endion – from the Ojibwe language: Endaayaan "my home"
Eyota
Hackensack
Hanska
Hokah
Kabetogama – from the Ojibwe language: Gaa-biitoogamaag "Place of paralleling water-body"
Kanaranzi
Kasota
Keewatin – from the Ojibwe language: Giiwedin "North"
Keewaydin, Minneapolis – from the Ojibwe language: Giiwedin "North"
Mahtomedi
Mahtowa
Mankato
Menahga
Mendota
- Mendota Heights
Minnehaha
- Minnehaha Creek
- Minnehaha Falls
Minneiska
Minneola
Minnetonka
Muskoda
Nashwauk
Nokomis – from the Ojibwe language: Nookomis "my grandmother".
- Nokomis East – from the Ojibwe language: Nookomis "my grandmother".
Nisswa
Township and City of Ogema – from the Ojibwe language: Ogimaa "Chief, leader"
Okabena
Onamia
Otsego
Ottawa
Owanka
Owatonna
Pequot Lakes
Pokegama – from the Ojibwe language: Bakegamaa "Side lake"
Puposky
Saco
Saginaw
Sebeka
Shakopee – from the Dakota language: Shák'pí "Six"
Squaw Lake
Wabasso
Waconia
Wahkon
Wakemup
Wannaska
Wasioja
Waubun – from the Ojibwe language: Waaban "Dawn/East"
Waukenabo
Wawina
Wayzata
Wenonah
Yucatan

Bodies of water[edit]

Landforms[edit]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

^ Campbell (1997), p. 11.
^ Harper, Douglas. "Minnesota". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2007-02-25.

Sources[edit]

Bright, William (2004). Native American Placenames of the United States. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 080613576X.
Campbell, Lyle (1997). American Indian Languages: The Historical Linguistics of Native America. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195094271

[FOOTNOTECampbell199711-1] Campbell (1997), p. 11.

[2] Harper, Douglas. "Minnesota". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2007-02-25.

[1]

[2]

Listings[edit]

State[edit]

Counties[edit]

Settlements[edit]

Bodies of water[edit]

Landforms[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

Sources[edit]