In the last six postings we've noted a number of contrasts between the religious cultures of the US and Canada. But there's one respect in which the two countries are eerily congruent.
If we sort US state names by types and where they originated, and do the same with a list of Canadian provinces and territories, we'll find the percentages are practically identical.
How does this matter and what, if anything, does it have to do with religion and spirituality? Simply this: the meaning and music of words both reflects and shapes the spirit of what we put them onto as names.
A belief in the spirit of names is widespread. We find it in the Bible where a character gets a new name to mark a milestone: Abram becomes Abraham, Sarai become Sarah. We find it in prophetic names given to children, and nicknames given to adults (Simon is nicknamed "the Rock," Peter).
We find it in the resonances of words in certain languages such as Sanskrit. And we find if in the language of many aboriginal peoples, which is what concerns us here.
English, with its eclectic vocabulary, is one of the few languages where the meanings of most names are not apparent, where we have to go on line or look them up in a baby book. Three English girls names with evident meaning--Faith, Hope and Chastity--are not used much anymore, one boy's name (Rock) is.
At the end of this posting are the complete lists of the state and provincial names broken down into categories. Here are the highlights that emerge from those lists:
One half of the jurisdictional names of both countries come from aboriginal words: 25 out of 50 American states, 7 out of 14 Canadian provinces and territories. (Canada as a whole, having an aboriginal name, kanata, is treated as a jurisdiction by itself.)
One seventh of the names of both countries are descriptor words in some language other than a First Nations one. 7/50 US ones, (e.g., Maine = mainland, Vermont = green mount) and 2/7 Canadian ones (Newfoundland, North West Territories).
Approximately 30% of the names of both countries are transplants: named after another place, usually in the Old World (e.g., New Jersey and New Brunswick) or a person such as Georgia (named for George II) in the US, or Prince Edward Island in Canada.
There is a further category, that applies only to the US. Three states (6% of the total) have names that were coined or created in literature. There are no provincial or territorial names of this kind in Canada.
First Nations have contributed an equal share of the state/province names in both countries. Does this mean the aboriginal strength and influence is proportionately equal in each country? If not, why not? These same can be asked about the “transplanted” names of persons and other jurisdictions. Did/do these make any difference in the lives of the regions that bear their names?
These are questions for future postings. For now, here is the data bank of names, sorted by categories.
US states with aboriginal names
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming (25/50 = 50% of US States)
Canadian provinces/territories with aboriginal names
Canada, Manitoba, Nunavut, Ontario, Québec, Saskatchewan, Yukon (714 = 50% jurisdictions)
US states named after people & other places
Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia (15/50 = 30%)
Canadian provinces/territories name after people and other places
Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island (5/14 = 36%)
The difference between the US and Canadian totals here is attributable to another category …
US states whose names come from literature and/or original “coined” words
California, Idaho, Oregon (3/50 = 6%)
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