I stumbled on a video that tells you exactly how each state got its name and of course, I was very curious about how Arkansas got its name.

Being a 20-year resident of the great state of Arkansas I didn't think much about the history of the state. We all know it was part of the Louisiana Purchase and from previous stories, I know that it officially became a state in 1836.

Arkansas is known as the natural state and I kind of remember that it got its name from the native American Indians that were part of the state. Of course, I was also curious how our neighboring states got their names as well, so here is what I found out.

Louisiana

Joao Francisco Unsplash
Joao Francisco Unsplash
loading...

This state got its name from the French King Louis IV. When it was claimed for France it was originally called 'La Louisiane'.

Oklahoma

Gerson Repreza Unsplash
Gerson Repreza Unsplash
loading...

Oklahoma is a combination of two Chocktaw Indian words, Okla and Homa, meaning red nation or Indian territory.

Texas

Daniel Lloyd Blunk Fernandez Unsplash
Daniel Lloyd Blunk Fernandez Unsplash
loading...

Its name comes from the word 'Taysha' which means friend in the native Caddo Indian language. At one time the territory known as Texas was once called New Philippines.

Arkansas

Mick Haupt Unsplash
Mick Haupt Unsplash
loading...

The name Arkansas comes from the French term 'Arcansas' which was a translation of Arkansa an Indian term for Quapaw people.

I think it is pretty wild how all of the states got their names. And here is the video I found that explains how the rest of the United States go their respective names.

 

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

More From Eagle 106.3