What exactly does "Pennsylvania" mean? Why is there a New Jersey if there's not an Old Jersey? Find out just how much you really know about the names of these American states and how they originated!
Question 1/12
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Who named Florida "the land of flowers"?
Christopher Columbus
William Penn
Juan Ponce de Leon
Question 2/12
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"Massachusetts" essentially harks back to which sort of geographical feature?
Hill
Volacno
River
Question 3/12
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Pennsylvania may come loosely from founder William Penn, but what does the name itself mean?
Many woods
Penn's Woods
Penn's Land
Question 4/12
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True or false: Texas earned it's name from an Indian word meaning "friends" or "allies."
True
False
Question 5/12
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What does the name Idaho mean?
Land of plenty
Potato heaven
No one knows
Question 6/12
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What does the name Oregon mean?
Plentiful woods
Jewel of the west
River of the west
Question 7/12
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Which of the following state names essentially means "mountain?"
Colorado
Kansas
Montana
Question 8/12
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Which of the following states was named for a French king?
California
New York
Louisiana
Question 9/12
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Who gave the state of Vermont its name?
John Hudson
Samuel de Champlain
Andrew Carnegie
Question 10/12
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During which era did Virginia split into two separate states?
The Civil War
The American Revolution
The War of 1812
Question 11/12
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"Michigan" is taken from a Native American word that means "large ______."
Swamp
Lake
Snowfall
Question 12/12
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The state of Hawaii is named for the after the Hawaiian god of.....
Agriculture and rainfall.
Wind.
Seasonal change.
Knowing how the states got their names is far from simple! After all, America is a melting pot of different cultures and explorers who came from all parts of the world. Though you didn't pass this quiz, you may have learned a thing or two about how these states earned their names. Now you can blow everyone's minds with your knowledge!
C+, State Name Stumped
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Right!
Few Americans actually know how most of the states got their names, but you've always been a history buff with a true curiosity for the country you call home. Even though you were stumped on a question or two, you still know your state's well!
B+, State Name Super
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Right!
Most Americans have no idea how a majority of the states got their names, including the ones they live in! You're no average American. You obviously pride yourself on knowing the history of the country you call home, even the small details of how these states first earned the names we know and love today.
A+, State Name Ace
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Right!
1
Who named Florida "the land of flowers"?
Christopher Columbus
William Penn
Juan Ponce de Leon
2
"Massachusetts" essentially harks back to which sort of geographical feature?
Hill
Volacno
River
3
Pennsylvania may come loosely from founder William Penn, but what does the name itself mean?
Many woods
Penn's Woods
Penn's Land
4
True or false: Texas earned it's name from an Indian word meaning "friends" or "allies."
True
False
5
What does the name Idaho mean?
Land of plenty
Potato heaven
No one knows
6
What does the name Oregon mean?
Plentiful woods
Jewel of the west
River of the west
7
Which of the following state names essentially means "mountain?"
Colorado
Kansas
Montana
8
Which of the following states was named for a French king?
California
New York
Louisiana
9
Who gave the state of Vermont its name?
John Hudson
Samuel de Champlain
Andrew Carnegie
10
During which era did Virginia split into two separate states?
The Civil War
The American Revolution
The War of 1812
11
"Michigan" is taken from a Native American word that means "large ______."
Swamp
Lake
Snowfall
12
The state of Hawaii is named for the after the Hawaiian god of.....
Agriculture and rainfall.
Wind.
Seasonal change.
