List of Ojibwa ethnonyms facts for kids

The Ojibwa people have been known by many different names throughout history. Some names were created by the Ojibwa themselves. These are called endonyms or autonyms. Other names were given to them by people from different groups. These are known as exonyms or xenonyms. This article explores some of these interesting names.

Names the Ojibwa Used for Themselves (Endonyms)

These are the names the Ojibwa people used to describe themselves.

Anishinaabe: The Original People

The most common name the Ojibwa use for themselves is Anishinaabe. This name has a special meaning. Many people believe it means "spontaneous men" or "original men." It suggests they were created in a unique way, making them the first or original people.

You might see this name spelled in different ways, like:

• Anishinabek (used by the Anishinabek Nation)
• Anishinaubae (used by Basil Johnston)
• Nishnawbe (used by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation)

Inini: Simply "Man"

Sometimes, the Ojibwa would simply call themselves Inini, which means "man." This term helped them tell the difference between themselves and other living things.

Ojibwe: Many Meanings

The name Ojibwe is very common today, but its meaning has a few different ideas:

• Some say it comes from ojiibwabwe, meaning "those who cook or roast until it puckers." This might refer to how they made their moccasin seams waterproof using fire.
• Another idea is that it comes from ozhibii'iwe, meaning "those who keep records." This could refer to their special way of writing pictures, like the pictographs used in their Midewiwin ceremonies.
• A third idea is that it comes from ojiibwe, meaning "those who speak stiffly" or "those who stammer." This might be how their language sounded to the Cree people.

Today, you often hear "Ojibwa" or "Chippewa" in English. In the past, there were many different spellings recorded, such as:

• Achipoés (1671)
• Chippewas (1754)
• Objibways (1883)
• Ojibways (1843)

Baawitigong: People of the Rapids

Because the Ojibwa lived near the rapids of the St. Mary's River for a long time, they were often called Baawitigong. This name means "those at the rapids."

Some old spellings of this name include:

• Baouichtigouin (1640)
• Paouitigoueieuhak (meaning "White-waters")
• Paouitingouach-irini (meaning "Rapids-Mount Man")

Nii’inawe: Our Nation's Language

The term Nii'inawe means "[those who speak] our nation's language." This was a general term used by different Algonquian peoples to refer to other Algonquian groups who spoke a similar language.

Bangii: A Little Bit

The term Bangii means "a little bit." This name was sometimes used to refer to the Métis people, who have mixed Indigenous and European heritage.

Names Given by Other Groups (Exonyms)

These are names that non-Ojibwa people used to describe the Ojibwa.

Wendat Names

The Wendat (also known as Huron) often called the Ojibwa "Ehstihaĝeron(on)." This name is similar to "Baawitigong" and means "people of the falls."

Some historical spellings include:

• Eskiaeronnon (1649)
• Estiaghes (1726)
• Ostiagahoroones (1885)

French Names: The Jumpers

The French often called the Ojibwa "Saulteur(s)." This French word also means "jumpers" or "leapers," referring to the rapids where the water seemed to "jump" or "tumble." This name is another way of saying "Baawitigong."

You might see these spellings:

• Nation du Sault (1642)
• Saulteurs (1670)
• Saulteaux (1745)
• Sault Indians (1710)

Dakota Names: People at the Waterfall

The Dakota people had a name for the Ojibwa, "Iyoħaħáŋtoŋ(waŋ)." This means "those at the waterfall," which is similar to the "Baawitigong" name.

Some recorded spellings include:

• Hāhatona (1847)
• Ĥahatonwan (1884)
• Khahkhahtons (1830)

Iroquoian Names

The Iroquois people had their own name for the Ojibwa, "Dwăkănĕņ." This name was written down in many ways, depending on the specific Iroquoian language.

Examples include:

• De-wă-kă-nhă' (Mohawk name)
• Douaganhas (1687)
• Dwă-kă-nĕn (Onondaga name)

Athapaskan Names

Some Athapaskan-speaking groups had names for the Ojibwa that described their appearance or customs. For example, "Bedzaqetcha" (Tsattine name) and "Bedzietcho" (Kawchodinne name) both mean "long ears."

Other Names from Different Groups

Other groups also had names for the Ojibwa:

• Cabellos realzados (Spanish for "Raised-hair tribe") or Cheveux-relevés (French for "Raised-hair"). This name might have also been used for the Odawa.
• Kútaki was a name used by the Fox people.
• Regači was a name used by the Ho-Chunk people.
• Sáhea'e was a Cheyenne name.

See also

• Algonquin ethnonyms
• Nipissing ethnonyms
• Potawatomi ethnonyms