List of Chinook Jargon place names facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Chinook Jargon was a special "helper language" used by different groups of people in the Pacific Northwest. Imagine a language that helped Native American tribes, fur traders, and early settlers talk to each other, even if they spoke different native languages or came from far away! This jargon, or trade language, mixed words from many Native American languages, plus French and English. Because it was used so widely, many places in British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, the Canadian Yukon Territory, and the American states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana got their names from Chinook Jargon. You can even find a few names in places like California, Utah, Nevada, and as far east as Michigan, Ontario, Quebec, and New Hampshire! These names often tell a story about the land, animals, or what people did there.

Places Named from Chinook Jargon
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Places Named from Chinook Jargon

Starting with 'A'

Alki (Washington, British Columbia, Yukon): This word means "soon" or "the future." The first American settlers in the Seattle area even called their new home "New York Alki," hoping it would soon become as big as New York! "Alki" is also the official motto of Washington state. You'll find places like Alki Point and Alki Beach named after this hopeful word.

Starting with 'B'

Boston Bar (British Columbia): In Chinook Jargon, "Boston" meant "American," and "King George" meant "British." So, Boston Bar was a place where Americans often gathered. A "bar" in this case means a sandy riverbank, which was a common spot for people to stop along the Fraser River.
Mowich (Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia, Washington, Montana): This word means "deer." Many places where deer were common or important to the people living there were named Mowich, like Big Mowich Mountain in Oregon or Mowich Lake in Washington.

Starting with 'C'

Chack Chack Lake (British Columbia): This lake is named after the Chinook Jargon word for "bald eagle." It was named after a person whose Native American name was Chack-chak.
Chikamin (Montana, British Columbia, Washington): This word means "metal" or "ore." You can find places like Chickaman Gulch and Chikamin Mine in Montana, or Chikamin Peak in Washington, which were likely named because metal or valuable minerals were found nearby.
Chinook (Alberta, Montana, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia, Alaska, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Oregon): This is a very famous Chinook Jargon word! It can refer to the Chinook salmon (a type of fish) or the Chinook wind (a warm, dry wind). Many places are named Chinook, like the town of Chinook or Chinook Pass in Washington.
Chum (British Columbia): This word often means "painted" or "marked." It can also refer to the chum salmon, which are known for their spotted appearance. Chum Creek and Chum Lake in British Columbia are examples.
Colchuck (Washington): This word means "cold water" or "ice." You'll find Colchuck Peak and Colchuck Glacier in Washington, which are fitting names for icy, cold places in the mountains.
Cultus (Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, Idaho): This word means "bad" or "worthless." It was often used for places that were difficult to travel through, had poor resources, or were considered unlucky. Cultus Lake in Oregon and Cultus Bay in Washington are examples.

Starting with 'D' and 'E'

Delate (Washington, Oregon, Idaho): This word means "straight." You might find a Delate Creek or Delate Road, suggesting a straight path or waterway.
Eena (Idaho): This word means "beaver." Eena Creek in Idaho was likely a place where beavers were common.

Starting with 'H'

Hyak (Washington, Oregon, British Columbia): This word means "fast" or "hurry up." Hyak is a town in Washington, and there are Hyak Creeks and Hyak Mountains, perhaps named for fast-flowing water or quick travel.
Hyas (Saskatchewan, Washington, British Columbia): This word means "big," "great," or "important." Hyas Lake in British Columbia and Hyas Lookout in Washington are examples, suggesting large or significant features.

Starting with 'I'

Ikt (Oregon, British Columbia): This word means "one." You can find Ikt Butte in Oregon or Ikt Glacier in British Columbia, often used in a series of numbered features.
Illahee (Oregon, Washington, British Columbia): This word means "land" or "grassland." Illahee and Illahee are communities, and Illahee State Park is a park, all named for the land itself.
Ipsoot (Oregon, British Columbia, Idaho, Washington): This word means "hidden." Ipsoot Creek and Ipsoot Glacier are found in remote, hidden areas.

Starting with 'K'

Kaleetan (Washington): This word means "arrow." Kaleetan Peak in Washington is a sharp, pointed mountain, much like an arrow.
Kanaka (British Columbia, California, Washington, Utah): This word refers to a "Hawaiian man." Many Hawaiian laborers, also known as "Kanakas," came to the Pacific Northwest in the 1800s to work in the fur trade and gold rushes. Places like Kanaka Bar and Kanaka Creek were named after them.
Katsuk (Oregon, British Columbia, Washington): This word means "middle" or "in the middle of." Katsuk Peak in Washington is located in the middle of a ridge with other Chinook Jargon names.
Kettle (Washington, British Columbia): This word comes from "kettle" and refers to the shape of the land or a waterfall that looks like a boiling kettle. Kettle Falls and Kettle River are examples.
Klahanie (Washington): This word means "outside" or "the outdoors." Klahanie is a town in Washington, suggesting a connection to nature.
Klahowya (Washington, British Columbia): This friendly word means "hello" or "howdy." Klahowya Campground and Klahowya Creek are places that might have been welcoming stops.
Kloochman (Washington, British Columbia, Oregon, Idaho): This word means "woman" or "wife." Kloochman Rock in Washington and Klootchman Canyon in British Columbia are examples.

Starting with 'L'

La Push (Washington): This name comes from the French "la bouche," meaning "the mouth." La Push is a town located at the mouth of a river.
Latah (Washington, Idaho): This word comes from the French "les dents," meaning "the teeth." Latah and Latah County in Idaho were named for the tooth-like shape of the land or rocks.
Lemolo (Oregon): This word means "wild" or "untamed." Lemolo Lake in Oregon is a beautiful, wild place.
Lolo (Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, British Columbia): This name is thought to come from a French idiom meaning "get/do that!" or "that there." It is also famously linked to Jean-Baptiste Lolo, a respected fur trader and chief. You'll find places like Lolo Pass and Mount Lolo.
Lummi (Washington): This word means "old woman" or "widow." Lummi Island and the Lummi Indian Reservation in Washington are named after the Lummi people.

Starting with 'M'

Malakwa (British Columbia): This word means "mosquito," coming from the French word "maringouin." Malakwa is a community that might have been known for its mosquitoes!
Memaloose (Oregon, British Columbia, Idaho, Washington): This word means "dead" or "dead person/thing." These places, like Memaloose Island, were often traditional burial grounds or places associated with death.
Mesachie (British Columbia, Washington): This word means "evil," "nasty," or "malign." While it can mean "naughty" for a child, for places like Mesachie Lake or Mesahchie Peak in Washington, it likely refers to a difficult, dangerous, or foreboding place.
Moolack (Oregon, Idaho, Washington): This word means "elk." Moolack Beach in Oregon and Moolack Creek in Idaho are places where elk were likely found.
Muckamuck (Washington, Oregon): This word means "food" or "to eat." Muckamuck Creek and Muckamuck Mountain in Washington might have been places known for good hunting or edible plants.

Starting with 'N' and 'O'

Nanitch (Oregon, British Columbia): This word means "lookout," "guard," or "to watch." Nanitch Peak in British Columbia and Nanitch Campground in Oregon were likely places with good views or where people kept watch.
Olalla (British Columbia, Washington, Oregon): This word means "berries." Olalla and Olalla are communities named for the abundance of berries in the area.
Olo (Washington): This word means "hunger" or "to be hungry." Olo Mountain might have been a place where food was scarce or a difficult climb that made one hungry.

Starting with 'P'

Pilchuck (British Columbia, Washington): This word means "red water." Pilchuck, Mount and Pilchuck River in Washington are named for water that might have appeared reddish due to minerals or soil.
Pish (Montana, Alaska): This word means "fish." Pish Dam in Montana and Pish River in Alaska are places associated with fishing.

Starting with 'S'

Sinnamoxt (British Columbia): This word means "seven." Sinnamoxt Glacier is part of a series of numbered glaciers.
Siskiyou (California): This word means "bob-tailed horse." Siskiyou County in California is named after this unique description.
Sitkum (Oregon, Alaska, British Columbia, Washington): This word means "half," "halfway," or "half-breed." Sitkum Creek and Sitkum Lake are often found halfway between two points or on a plateau.
Siwash (Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California, Montana, Manitoba): This word means "Indian/First Nations/Native American male." Siwash Rock in Vancouver, British Columbia, is a famous example, named after a legendary figure.
Skookum (Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ontario, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, British Columbia, Colorado, California, Manitoba, New Hampshire): This is a very popular Chinook Jargon word meaning "strong," "capable," "genuine," or "good." It can also refer to a "monster" or "powerful" thing. You'll find many places named Skookum, like Mount Skook Davidson or Skookum Lake.
Skookumchuck (Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, New Hampshire): This word means "rapids" or "strong water." Skookumchuck Narrows in British Columbia is famous for its powerful tidal rapids.
Slatechuck (British Columbia): This word means "slate creek." Slatechuck Creek and Slatechuck Mountain in British Columbia are known for the black slate found there, which is used by the Haida for carving.
Snass (British Columbia): This word means "rain." Snass Creek and Snass Mountain in British Columbia are likely rainy places.

Starting with 'T'

Taghum (British Columbia): This word means "six." Taghum is a community named because it was six miles from an important river junction.
Tamanawas (Oregon, Washington): This word means "spirit," "power," or "sorcerer." Tamanawas Falls in Oregon and Tamanos Mountain in Washington are named for their powerful or spiritual presence.
Tatoosh (Washington, Alaska): This word is often associated with the Tatoosh Range in Washington, which is a rugged mountain range.
Tenas (Oregon, Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Washington, Yukon): This word means "small," "little," or "young." Tenas Creek and Tenas Lake are often smaller versions of nearby features.
Tilikum (Oregon, British Columbia, Washington, Ontario): This word means "people," "friend," or "kin." The Tilikum Crossing bridge in Oregon is named to honor the connection between people.
Tikke (British Columbia): This word means "desire" or "need." Tikke Glacier is a place that might have been desired for its resources or beauty.
Toketie (British Columbia, Washington): This word means "pretty." Toketie Creek and Toketie Lake are likely beautiful places.
Tolo (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia): This word means "win," "earn," or "pay." Tolo is a town that might have been a place where people earned their living.
Tukwila (Washington): This word means "nut" or "hazelnut." Tukwila is a city named for the hazelnut trees that grew there.
Tumtum (Oregon, Washington, British Columbia): This word means "heart," "heartbeat," "soul/mind," or "feeling." It can also be short for "waterfall." Tumtum is a town, and Tumtum Mountain is a mountain, perhaps named for a strong feeling or a waterfall.
Tumwater (Oregon, Washington): This word means "waterfall." Tumwater is a city famous for its waterfalls.
Tyee (Alaska, British Columbia, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, Ontario, Manitoba): This important word means "chief," "big," or "boss." Many places, like Tyee Mountain or Tyee Lake, are named to show their importance or size.

Starting with 'W' and 'Y'

Wake (Oregon): This word means "not" or "nothing." Wake Creek might have been a place with no water or resources.
Wakepish (Washington): This word means "no fish." Wakepish Creek was likely a stream where fish were scarce.
Waketickeh (Washington): This word means "don't want" or "don't need." Waketickeh Creek might have been a place people avoided or didn't find useful.
Yakawawa (Washington): This word means "it talks." Yakawawa Canyon was likely named because the river was loud, or there was a strong echo.
Yukwah (Oregon): This word means "here" or "this place." Yukwah Recreation Site is a place that was simply referred to as "here."