Five Midwestern States with Native American Names

The Five (Alphabetical)

1. Illinois — From Illiniwek (Algonquian: "best people" or "tribe of superior men"), the Illinois Confederation.
2. Iowa — From the Ioway (Baxoje) tribe; Dakota *ayuhwa* "sleepy ones" or *íowa* "this is the place."
3. Kansas — From Kansa (Kaw) tribe; Siouan *kką:ze* "people of the south wind."
4. Michigan — Ojibwe mishigamaa "great water" / "large lake" (referring to Lake Michigan).
5. Wisconsin — Ojibwe wishkonsing / miskwasiniing "red stone place" or "gathering of waters" (Meskousing River → Wisconsin).

Honorable Mentions (Also Midwestern, Also Indigenous)

• Minnesota — Dakota *Mni Sota* "cloudy water" / "sky-tinted water" (Minnesota River).
• Missouri — Illinois *ouemessourita* "those who have dugout canoes" (Missouria tribe).
• Nebraska — Otoe *Ní Btháska* "flat water" (Platte River).
• North/South Dakota — Named for Dakota (Lakota/Nakota) Sioux.
• Ohio — Seneca *ohiːyo'* "good river" / "great river."

Pattern

The Midwest/Great Plains is the most heavily Indigenous-named region in the US — reflecting dense pre-contact populations and later treaty-era naming by settlers/territorial legislatures.