List of Place Names in New England of Aboriginal Origin - Rhode Island

Rhode Island

Common languages:

• Northern: Natick, Nipmuc
• Southern: Narragansett

• • Apponaug: (Narragansett) "where oysters/shellfish are roasted" or "waiting place"
  • Aquidneck Island: (Narragansett) "at the island"
  • Canonchet: a 17th-century Narragansett chief
  • Chepachet: (Narragansett) "boundary/separation place"
  • Conanicut Island: (Narragansett) named for a 17th-century chief Canonicus
  • Conimicut: (Narragansett) thought to be named for granddaughter of Canonicus (see above)
  • Mount Hope: (from Narragansett Montop or Montaup) "look-out place" or "well-fortified island"
  • Narragansett Bay (and town): tribe: "at the narrow point"
  • Natick: tribe; "the place I seek" or "home"
  • Pascoag (and river): (Nipmuck) "the dividing place" (of river)
  • Pawtucket: (Narragansett) "at the falls in the river (tidal stream)"
  • Pettaquamscutt Rock (and river): Narragansett) "at the round rock"
  • Pontiac: famous mid-18th century Ottawa chief
  • Quonochontaug: (Narragansett) "home of the blackfish"
  • Sakonnet Point: (Narragansett) "home of the black goose"
  • Scituate Reservoir: (Wampanoag) "at the cold spring/brook"
  • Shawomet: (Narragansett) "at the peninsula/neck" (canoe-landing place)
  • Usquepaugh: (Narragansett) "at the end of the pond"
  • Weekapaug: (Narragansett) "at the end of the pond"
  • Woonsocket: (Nipmuck) "place of steep descent"
  • Wyoming: (Delaware) "large prairie"

• Former names:
  • Aquidnic: (Narragansett) "the island" Rhode Island
  • Niwosaket: (Narragansett) "place of two brooks" Woonsocket
  • Manisses: (Narragansett) "little god"; (Niantic) "little island" Block Island
  • Mattoonuc Neck: (Niantic) "place at look-out hill" Point Judith
  • Maushapogue: (Narragansett) "land at the great cove" Cranston