Origin of "Massachusetts"

Massachusetts State Name Origin

AmericanIndianMoccasins.jpg

Native American moccasins

Native American moccasins; the  name "moccasin" originates from the Algonquian language (as does the name "Massachusetts"). Photo by Arjay on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works).

What does "Massachusetts" mean?

The name "Massachusetts" originates with native Americans in the Massachusetts Bay area (from the language of the Algonquian nation). The name translates roughly as "at or about the great hill." All State Name Origins

Possible interpretations of the exact origin of the word Massachusetts:

"Messatossec" (great hills mouth).
"Mess," "mass," or "massa" (great).
"Atsco," "as chu," or "wad chu" (hill).
"Sec," "sac" or "saco" (mouth).
"Massawachusett" (great mountain place).
Wachusett (mountain place).
"Moswetuset" (arrowhead); describes the Great Blue Hill region south of Boston.
Massachusetts

Images

Massachusetts USA (public domain image).

Massachusetts USA

Geology and topography map of Massachusetts from USGS; A Tapestry of  Time & Terrain.

Massachusetts