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

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

Great Lakes from space

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

The state of Michigan, USA