What does the word Texas mean?

The word "Texas" is derived from the Hasinai Caddo word "Tejas," which means "friends" or "allies." The Caddo people were native to the region and lived in what is now East Texas. The name was first used by Spanish explorers in the 16th century to refer to the area inhabited by the Caddo.

Over time, the name "Texas" came to be applied to the entire region and was officially adopted as the name of the state when it joined the United States in 1845.