Place Name Origins in The United States
Further information: List of U.S. state name etymologiesPlace names in the United States are often taken from the European nation that first colonized the land. Some areas, such as New England, have many names that have been transferred from Britain, such as Bristol. Many place names are taken from Native American names, sometimes from neighbors rather than the settlers in a particular place. The meaning of names derived form Native American names can be difficult or impossible to determine. In many cases it is not even clear which Native American language a place name comes from. A great many names that appear to be Native American in origin were created by non-Natives with at best a rudimentary grasp of native languages. For example, the city of Pasadena, California was named by a vote of the early town residents, on a selection of words based on fragments of the Ojibwe language. The name "Pasadena" was chosen for its euphonious nature rather than its actual meaning. In some cases the native meanings of a place name are wholly lost, despite guesses and theories, for example Tampa and Oregon.
Place names in the United States tend to be more easily traceable to their origins, such as towns simply named after the founder or an important politician of the time, with no alterations except a simple suffix, like -town. Carson City, for instance, was named for Kit Carson and Belo Horizonte means beautiful view.
Read more about this topic: Place Name Origins
Famous quotes containing the words united states, place, origins, united and/or states:
“The recognition of Russia on November 16, 1933, started forces which were to have considerable influence in the attempt to collectivize the United States.”
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)
““Just the place for a Snark!” the Bellman cried,
As he landed his crew with care;
Supporting each man on the top of the tide
By a finger entwined in his hair.
“Just the place for a Snark! I have said it twice:
That alone should encourage the crew.
Just the place for a Snark! I have said it thrice:
What I tell you three times is true.””
—Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson] (1832–1898)
“Compare the history of the novel to that of rock ‘n’ roll. Both started out a minority taste, became a mass taste, and then splintered into several subgenres. Both have been the typical cultural expressions of classes and epochs. Both started out aggressively fighting for their share of attention, novels attacking the drama, the tract, and the poem, rock attacking jazz and pop and rolling over classical music.”
—W. T. Lhamon, U.S. educator, critic. “Material Differences,” Deliberate Speed: The Origins of a Cultural Style in the American 1950s, Smithsonian (1990)
“The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem.”
—Walt Whitman (1819–1892)
“The moment a mere numerical superiority by either states or voters in this country proceeds to ignore the needs and desires of the minority, and for their own selfish purpose or advancement, hamper or oppress that minority, or debar them in any way from equal privileges and equal rights—that moment will mark the failure of our constitutional system.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)