Which U.S. State Contains the Name of a Country Bordering the U.S.?

Maine — named after the French province of Maine (in northwestern France), which borders the English Channel — not the U.S.

Clarification

• No U.S. state is named after a country that currently borders the United States.
• Canada borders the U.S. — no state named "Canada."
• Mexico borders the U.S. — no state named "Mexico" (but New Mexico exists).
• Russia (maritime border via Bering Strait) — no state named "Russia."

Maine’s Name Origin

• 1622 grant to Sir Ferdinando Gorges & John Mason — "Province of Maine."
• Likely honors Henrietta Maria (queen of Charles I), who was "owner of the province of Maine in France."
• French Maine — historic province, capital Le Mans; incorporated into France 1481.
• Statehood: 1820 (Missouri Compromise) — kept the name.

Other State Names from Foreign Places

• New Hampshire — English county.
• New York — Duke of York (James II).
• New Jersey — Channel Island (Jersey).
• Georgia — King George II.
• Louisiana — Louis XIV.
• Washington — George Washington (person, not place).

Maine is the only state named for a foreign province — but that province (Maine, France) does not border the U.S.