Origin of "Michigan"

Michigan State Name Origin

michigan_usgs2.jpg

Michigan geology and topography map

Michigan geology and topography map from USGS: A Tapestry of Time and Terrain.

What does "Michigan" mean?

The name Michigan is based on a native American (Chippewa) word; "meicigama" (meaning "great water," a word referring to Lake Superior). Thirty-two counties in Michigan also have names drawn from native American languages (as do many other state names). All State Name Origins

Michigan

Images

The state of Michigan, USA (public domain image).

The state of Michigan, USA

Great Lakes from space; photo by NASA Visible Earth (terms of use).

Great Lakes from space