Oklahoma etymology

Etymology:

Oklahoma is a Native American name derived from the Choctaw words:

  • "okla" meaning "people"
  • "humma" meaning "red"

Meaning:

"Oklahoma" literally translates to "red people" and refers to the reddish skin tone of the indigenous people living in the region.

Origin:

The name was first used by a Choctaw chief named Allen Wright, who settled in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) in the 1830s. He applied the name to his district, which later became a county.

In 1890, the name Oklahoma was officially adopted when the Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory were combined to form the state of Oklahoma. It was chosen to honor the Native American heritage of the region and symbolize the unity of its people.

Other Considerations:

  • The name Oklahoma has been spelled various ways over the years, including Ocklahama, Oklahama, and Oclahoma.
  • The state of Oklahoma is often referred to as the "Sooner State" due to the large number of settlers who arrived before the official land run on April 22, 1889.

Oklahoma relate terms

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