How did our states get their names? The words that became the names of the fifty states originated from all over the world, from India to the Polynesian Islands, from Europe to Native American words. As European explorers began to settle in the New World, the pronunciation and spelling of the words changed and re changed. Sometimes they were on written documents, but mostly by spoken languages. Each nationality of explorers and settlers had their own pronunciations. In some cases, several variations of the words were used before the name of a state was actually formed. This book explores the root words that became the names of the states. It lists all fifty states, as well as the origin for America, Unites States, and Washington, D.C., and gives a brief history of each state. The book was written as a research source. It is concise, loaded with historical information, and enjoyable for all ages.