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Quiz about More State Names
Quiz about More State Names

More State Names Trivia Quiz


Here's more useless trivia on the origins of state names. My apologies to any Native Americans out there. I've used the word Indian because it was shorter to type.

A multiple-choice quiz by Ripsmom. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
Ripsmom
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
78,482
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Very Difficult
Avg Score
4 / 10
Plays
2732
Last 3 plays: JanIQ (2/10), Guest 24 (5/10), debray2001 (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Which states were named for a King and his Queen? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What state name was first rejected by another state because it was not an Indian word? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which state name is the name of an Indian tribe but is not an Indian word? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What two states share their name with 21st century countries? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What state is named for the people who were forced to live there? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. What state is named for a mythical paradise from a Spanish romance? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. The longest official state name belongs to which state? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What state names come from Indian words meaning 'friends or allies'? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Which name is definitely not from the French? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. The name of this western state comes from an Indian word of a tribe that originally lived on the east coast. Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 26 2024 : JanIQ: 2/10
Mar 12 2024 : Guest 24: 5/10
Mar 02 2024 : debray2001: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which states were named for a King and his Queen?

Answer: The Carolinas and Maryland

The Carolinas were originally called the Province of Carolana (land of Charles),after King Charles I of England, and Maryland was later named for his wife Queen Henrietta Maria. Georgia was named after King George II, but he was not married to Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen.

She was only about 100 years older than he was. The French King Louis IV was the source for Louisiana, and Florida was not even a woman, but Spanish for 'full of flowers'. Too bad - it's a pretty name.
2. What state name was first rejected by another state because it was not an Indian word?

Answer: Idaho

Idaho, a coined or made-up word, was originally proposed for Colorado. Colorado then named itself after the Spanish-named Colorado (colored red) River.
3. Which state name is the name of an Indian tribe but is not an Indian word?

Answer: Delaware

Delaware was named after Lord De La Warr, the first governor of Virginia, and the Indians who lived there were also given the name. The tribe called itself Lenni-Lenape and was part of the Algonkian Family. Both Massachusetts and Kansas were named after tribes, the Massachusett and the Kansa or Kaw.
4. What two states share their name with 21st century countries?

Answer: New Mexico and Georgia

I almost made this a no-brainer with New Mexico. Then I remembered that the former Soviet Republic of Georgia is an independent country.
5. What state is named for the people who were forced to live there?

Answer: Oklahoma

Oklahoma was originally a huge Indian Reservation, and many eastern tribes were forced to go there. The Cherokee Trail of Tears occurred at this time. The name comes from two Choctaw words, 'okla' people, and 'homa' red. Indiana means 'Land of the Indians', but the name comes from the many tribes who lived there and were eventually forced out.
6. What state is named for a mythical paradise from a Spanish romance?

Answer: California

The romance was written by Montalvo. I couldn't help wondering whether the explorers would give it the same name if they could see California today.
7. The longest official state name belongs to which state?

Answer: Rhode Island

Rhode Island was given to the largest island in Narangansett Bay, and the mainland settlements were known as the Providence Plantations. The complete name is State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The other three states are commonwealths.
8. What state names come from Indian words meaning 'friends or allies'?

Answer: Texas and the Dakotas

Dakota (or Lakota) is the name of a tribe, but the word does mean 'friends or allies'. Texas is from the Spanish pronunciation of the Indian word. The others are all from Indian words as well.
9. Which name is definitely not from the French?

Answer: Michigan

Michigan was named after the lake which the Indians had named. It meant 'great lake'. Vermont means 'green mountain', Louisiana is for Louis IV. Oregon is a fun name. One source said it might be from the French word for hurricane which they had given to the river now called Columbia.

The other source said it might be from a name found on a French map. If anyone has another possibility, let me know.
10. The name of this western state comes from an Indian word of a tribe that originally lived on the east coast.

Answer: Wyoming

Remember the Delaware Indians? They continually moved west (or were pushed), and many of them became excellent scouts. Kit Carson considered them among his best helpers in his travels through the west. Wyoming is from their word meaning 'upon the great plain'. Utah is from the Ute tribe, Nevada is Spanish for 'snow-clad', and Nebraska means 'flat water'.
Source: Author Ripsmom

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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