These Michigan places have Native American names. How they got them
Across Michigan, you'll find places with names of Native American origin, reflecting the state's deep Indigenous heritage.
Present-day Michigan is the ancestral homeland of Anishinaabe peoples, with the Indigenous presence pre-dating European settlements by more than 10,000 years.
More than 240,000 Native Americans and Alaska Natives currently live in Michigan, according to a statement by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, placing it among 10 states with the highest Indigenous populations, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
"In the 1600s, the relationship the Anishinaabek had with their homelands drastically changed with the arrival of Europeans to the Great Lakes. Diseases, wars, and the efforts to remove the Anishinaabek from Michigan continued for centuries. Despite this, the Anishinaabek fought to remain," Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore's website says.
Michigan cities, villages, rivers and other locations often take their names from Native American origins. The name of the state itself is attributed to the Algonquin word "Mishigamaw," meaning 'big lake' or 'great water,' deriving its name from the lake of the same name. It's also said to be from "Michi" meaning "great" and "Gama" meaning 'water," the Bureau of Indian Affairs says.
Here are a few Michigan places with Indigenous names.
Who are Michigan's Native Americans?
Among the state's important Native American roots are the Anishinaabe peoples of the Council of Three Fires historic alliance, the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi nations, according to Waséyabek, a tribally-owned economic development entity of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.
Indigenous communities in Michigan include the following 12 federally recognized tribes:
Bay Mills Indian Community
Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
Hannahville Indian Community
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan (Gun Lake).
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians.
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
How did Saginaw get its name?
The name of the mid-Michigan city, county, river and bay comes from the Ojibwe language, with various interpretations of its original meaning.
The name is believed to come from the Ojibwe words sag and ong, for place of the outlet, the Library of Michigan says. Another possible origin could be the Ojibwe phrase for where the Sauk were, referring to an Indigenous people who lived in the area before the Ojibwe people, Pure Michigan says.
Munising features Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Located at the Upper Peninsula's northern edge, this town borders Lake Superior and faces Grand Island from South Bay. Visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation at sites like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Grand Island National Recreation Area and Hiawatha National Forest, including hiking trails, Munising Falls, lakefront sandy beaches, boat and kayak tours and historic lighthouses.
The city and township get their name from the Ojibwe word Minissing, meaning Place of the Great Island, Munising Township's website says.
Mackinac Island is popular tourist attraction
Nestled in the Straits of Mackinac between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas is 2025's No. 1 summer travel destination, according to USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards.
In addition to its roughly 500 year-round residents, Mackinac Island draws in over 1 million visitors each year with activities ranging from grabbing a picture at stunning Arch Rock to tasting Mackinac fudge to bicycling around the island or touring historic Fort Mackinac.
The name of the county, island, bridge and straits comes from the longer Anishinaabek word Mitchimakinak, meaning place of the great turtle, or big turtle, according to the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau and Pure Michigan. French settlers later changed the spelling to Michilimackinac, adapting it to the French language, and the British eventually shortened the name to Mackinac.
Saugatuck is popular west Michigan town
This city along the Lake Michigan coast in southwest Michigan is a top summer tourist destination, with attractions including a quaint downtown, lakefront sandy beaches and an array of art galleries and installations.
The town's name comes from the Potawatomi word shaug-a-duck, meaning mouth of the river, the Hotel Saugatuck's website says. The Kalamazoo River flows into Lake Michigan from Saugatuck.
Ontonagon offers Lake Superior beaches, Porcupine Mountains
Located in the Upper Peninsula's far northwest, this area features a variety of hiking trails, lakefront sandy beaches, waterfalls, ski areas, a historic lighthouse, and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, also known as the Porkies.
The county, village and river's name traces back to the Ojibwe language, with various interpretations. This includes the word Nondon-organ, meaning hunting river, according to Central Michigan University's Clarke Historical Library.
Explore historic downtown in lakefront Manistee
This area along the shores of Lake Michigan offers sandy lakefront beaches, the city of Manistee's historic downtown, Manistee National Forest, farms, trolley tours, skiing and snowmobiling, fisheries, boating, kayaking and canoeing and orchards.
The city, lake, river and county's name derives from an Ojibwe word, possibly ministigweyaa, meaning river with islands at its mouth, or from an Ojibwe word meaning spirit of the woods, the city of Manistee's website says.
Ocqueoc Falls are on the Ocqueoc River
Ocqueoc Falls are on the Ocqueoc River in the northeastern Lower Peninsula. The area includes 6 miles of hiking, biking and cross-country skiing, and a state forest campground with a hardwood forest.
The name of the waterfall, township and river is considered to be an English or French interpretation of the Ojibwe name for the river, meaning crooked river, Ocqueoc Township's website says. Ocqueoc also means sacred in Ainshinaabemowin, or the Ojibwe language, Discover Northeast Michigan says.
Washtenaw home to bustling college town
Southeast Michigan's Washtenaw County is known for the city of Ann Arbor, featuring the University of Michigan campus, museums, gardens and trails, Michigan Medicine, historic districts, theaters and a diverse array of dining options. The county also features parks with a chance to explore kayaking, hiking trails, canoeing, fishing and more in nature.
The origin of Washtenaw has several interpretations. The Library of Michigan traces it to the Ojibwe word Washtenong, meaning Grand River, farther district or land beyond, according to Michigan State University. The county's website says the name could also be of Potawatomi or Algonquin origin, citing various sources.
Muskegon features Lake Michigan state parks
This west Michigan area along the Lake Michigan coastline boasts sandy lakefront beaches, an amusement park, trails, downtown Muskegon, state and county parks, historic lighthouses and more.
The name of the city, lake, county and river comes from the Ottawa word Masquigon, meaning marshy river or swamp, according to Pure Michigan and Visit Muskegon.
Keweenaw home to nation's best ski resorts
At the northwestern tip of the Upper Peninsula, the Keweenaw Peninsula juts into Lake Superior, home to sandy beaches, some of the nation's best ski resorts, Michigan Technological University, local, state and national parks and a copper mining industry.
The name's origin lies in an Ojibwe word meaning the crossing place, Visit Keweenaw's website says. Keweenaw can also be traced to the Ojibwe word Kee-wi-wai-non-ing, meaning portage or place where portage is made, according to Michigan State University.
Osceola rich with outdoor recreation
This area in the central western Lower Peninsula is primarily rural and includes 16 townships. Osceola County features parks with opportunities for activities like fishing, camping and swimming.
The county is named after Osceola, a Seminole chief, the Library of Michigan says. Osceola, meaning black drink singer, refers to a liquid a Seminole warrior would drink during purification rites, the National Park Service's website says.
Where can I find more information on Native American place names?
Michigan State University offers a list of many place names associated with Native American origins.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: A look at the Indigenous heritage behind Michigan place names
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