List of place names of Native American origin in Pennsylvania facts for kids

Did you know that many of the places we live, visit, and learn about in Pennsylvania have names that come from Native American languages? These names are like whispers from the past, connecting us to the first people who lived on this land. They tell stories about the rivers, mountains, and valleys, and remind us of the rich history of the U.S..

Pennsylvania's Native American Place Names

When you look at a map of Pennsylvania, you'll see many names that sound unique. These names often come from languages spoken by Native American tribes. Important tribes in Pennsylvania included the Lenape (also known as Delaware), Susquehannock, and Shawnee. They lived here for thousands of years before European settlers arrived.

Why Are These Names Important?

These place names are more than just labels. They are a vital part of our history and culture. They help us remember the Native American people who were here first. Many names describe the land itself. For example, a name might tell you if a river was fast-flowing or if a mountain had a certain shape. They often describe animals, plants, or important events that happened in that area. Learning about these names helps us understand the natural world and the history of Pennsylvania better.

Rivers and Creeks

Pennsylvania is full of beautiful rivers and creeks, and many of them have Native American names. These waterways were like highways for the early inhabitants. They used them for travel, fishing, and finding places to settle.

Some famous rivers with Native American names include:

• The Allegheny River, which flows through western Pennsylvania.
• The Monongahela River, another major river in the west.
• The Ohio River, which starts in Pittsburgh where the Allegheny and Monongahela meet.
• The Susquehanna River, one of the longest rivers on the East Coast.
• The Juniata River and Youghiogheny River are also important waterways.

Smaller creeks also carry these ancient names:

• Catawissa Creek
• Conemaugh River
• Conodoguinet Creek
• Kiskiminetas River
• Lackawanna River
• Loyalhanna Creek
• Lycoming Creek
• Muckinipattis Creek
• Pennypack Creek
• Quittapahilla Creek
• Sinnemahoning Creek
• Swatara Creek
• Tulpehocken Creek (Pennsylvania)
• Wiconisco Creek
• Wissahickon Creek

Towns and Cities

Many towns and cities across Pennsylvania also have names from Native American languages. These places were often built near existing Native American settlements or important landmarks.

Some examples of towns and cities include:

• Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
• Catasauqua, Pennsylvania
• Connoquenessing, Pennsylvania
• Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
• Kittanning, Pennsylvania
• Lenape Heights, Pennsylvania
• Muncy, Pennsylvania
• Nemacolin, Pennsylvania
• Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania
• Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
• Shamokin, Pennsylvania
• Shenandoah, Pennsylvania
• Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania
• Wapwallopen, Pennsylvania

Even parts of larger cities like Philadelphia have Native American names, such as Manayunk, Philadelphia and Wissahickon, Philadelphia. There's also Passyunk Township, Pennsylvania.

Mountains and Valleys

The mountains and valleys of Pennsylvania also hold names from the past. These names often describe the shape or features of the land.

• The Allegheny Mountain (Pennsylvania) and the larger Allegheny Mountains are named after the river.
• Mount Nittany is a famous mountain in central Pennsylvania.
• The Pocono Mountains are a popular vacation spot.
• The Wyoming Valley is another well-known area.

Other Places

Some places like Pymatuning Reservoir and Pymatuning State Park (Pennsylvania) also have names that come from Native American languages. These names help us remember the deep connection between the land and its original inhabitants.

Shackamaxon is a historic place in Philadelphia. It was where William Penn made a famous treaty with the Lenape people.

Learning about these names is a great way to explore the history of Pennsylvania. It helps us appreciate the rich heritage of the Native American people who lived here long ago.

See also

• List of place names in the United States of Native American origin#Pennsylvania—with etymologies