More State Names Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Carolinas and Maryland

The Carolinas were originally called the Province of Carolana (land of Charles),after King Charles I of England, and Maryland was later named for his wife Queen Henrietta Maria. Georgia was named after King George II, but he was not married to Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen.

She was only about 100 years older than he was. The French King Louis IV was the source for Louisiana, and Florida was not even a woman, but Spanish for 'full of flowers'. Too bad - it's a pretty name.

Answer: Idaho

Idaho, a coined or made-up word, was originally proposed for Colorado. Colorado then named itself after the Spanish-named Colorado (colored red) River.

Answer: Delaware

Delaware was named after Lord De La Warr, the first governor of Virginia, and the Indians who lived there were also given the name. The tribe called itself Lenni-Lenape and was part of the Algonkian Family. Both Massachusetts and Kansas were named after tribes, the Massachusett and the Kansa or Kaw.

Answer: New Mexico and Georgia

I almost made this a no-brainer with New Mexico. Then I remembered that the former Soviet Republic of Georgia is an independent country.

Answer: Oklahoma

Oklahoma was originally a huge Indian Reservation, and many eastern tribes were forced to go there. The Cherokee Trail of Tears occurred at this time. The name comes from two Choctaw words, 'okla' people, and 'homa' red. Indiana means 'Land of the Indians', but the name comes from the many tribes who lived there and were eventually forced out.

Answer: California

The romance was written by Montalvo. I couldn't help wondering whether the explorers would give it the same name if they could see California today.

Answer: Rhode Island

Rhode Island was given to the largest island in Narangansett Bay, and the mainland settlements were known as the Providence Plantations. The complete name is State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The other three states are commonwealths.

Answer: Texas and the Dakotas

Dakota (or Lakota) is the name of a tribe, but the word does mean 'friends or allies'. Texas is from the Spanish pronunciation of the Indian word. The others are all from Indian words as well.

Answer: Michigan

Michigan was named after the lake which the Indians had named. It meant 'great lake'. Vermont means 'green mountain', Louisiana is for Louis IV. Oregon is a fun name. One source said it might be from the French word for hurricane which they had given to the river now called Columbia.

The other source said it might be from a name found on a French map. If anyone has another possibility, let me know.

Answer: Wyoming

Remember the Delaware Indians? They continually moved west (or were pushed), and many of them became excellent scouts. Kit Carson considered them among his best helpers in his travels through the west. Wyoming is from their word meaning 'upon the great plain'. Utah is from the Ute tribe, Nevada is Spanish for 'snow-clad', and Nebraska means 'flat water'.