The towns and cities of Alaska translate into some pretty awesome names. So the next time you’re out and about with friends and family, entertain them with some fun trivia about the meanings of some of the names around Alaska. For instance, Alaska means “mainland” in Aleut, which literally means “the object towards which the action of the sea is directed.” Cool, huh?! Check out the meanings of these other towns and cities around your state and remember them so you can throw in a fun fact when you’re out with friends!
- Anchorage
Wikipedia Sure, the city’s nickname is The City of Lights and Flowers, but its true meaning is, you guessed it, the area that can accommodate a ship at anchor. There’s no wonder how Anchorage got it’s name being right on the shores of the Cook Inlet.
- Fairbanks
Wikipedia The motto of Fairbanks is The Golden Heart City but the original settlement was named after Charles W. Fairbanks, a senator who would possibly offer aid if the flourishing city ever needed it.
- Juneau
Wikipedia Juneau is cool simply because unlike any other capital in the United States, there is no road connecting it with the rest of Alaska OR North America for that matter. Juneau was named after a prospector in 1881, Joe Juneau.
- Ketchikan
Wikipedia Ketchikan was named after the river that flows through the heart of town, Ketchikan Creek, which in Tlingit means “Thundering Wings of an Eagle”.
- Sitka
Wikipedia Sitka is a fun one when translated from Tlingit. It means “People on the Outside of Baranof Island”. Makes very literal sense, now doesn’t it?!
- Wasilla
Wikipedia This Alaskan town was named after a local Dena’ina chief, Chief Wasilla.
- Kenai
WIkipedia Kenai is translated from a Tanaina word meaning flat, meadow, or open area with few trees. Does that sound like Kenai to you?
- Kodiak
Wikipedia Kodiak has a beautiful motto I think we can all agree with, Alaska’s Emerald Isle. But the meaning of Kodiak has been passed down from the Alutiiq word kadiak, meaning island, and then translated to Kad’yak by a Russian explorer, and finally translated to Kodiak by British Captain James Cook.
- Bethel
Wikipedia Bethel’s name came from the Yup’ik meaning “Smokehouse People” due to the towns fish smokehouse!
- Palmer
Wikipedia Palmer was named after an adventurous entrepreneur, George W. Palmer, who built a successful trading post off the banks of the Matanuska River.
- Unalaska
Wikipedia Unalaska’s strange name comes from the Aleut word “Ounalashka”, which translates to “Near the Peninsula”.
- Nome
Wikipedia And last but not least, my favorite, Nome. There are theories about the origin of this city’s name, but my favorite one by far is that Nome was translated from the Inupiaq word Naami, only the translation was misunderstood and the meaning of the name is “Where at?” I’d say that’s pretty fitting for Nome!
What other interesting town names can you think of? Share your town’s story in the comments below.
Wikipedia
Sure, the city’s nickname is The City of Lights and Flowers, but its true meaning is, you guessed it, the area that can accommodate a ship at anchor. There’s no wonder how Anchorage got it’s name being right on the shores of the Cook Inlet.
The motto of Fairbanks is The Golden Heart City but the original settlement was named after Charles W. Fairbanks, a senator who would possibly offer aid if the flourishing city ever needed it.
Juneau is cool simply because unlike any other capital in the United States, there is no road connecting it with the rest of Alaska OR North America for that matter. Juneau was named after a prospector in 1881, Joe Juneau.
Ketchikan was named after the river that flows through the heart of town, Ketchikan Creek, which in Tlingit means “Thundering Wings of an Eagle”.
Sitka is a fun one when translated from Tlingit. It means “People on the Outside of Baranof Island”. Makes very literal sense, now doesn’t it?!
This Alaskan town was named after a local Dena’ina chief, Chief Wasilla.
WIkipedia
Kenai is translated from a Tanaina word meaning flat, meadow, or open area with few trees. Does that sound like Kenai to you?
Kodiak has a beautiful motto I think we can all agree with, Alaska’s Emerald Isle. But the meaning of Kodiak has been passed down from the Alutiiq word kadiak, meaning island, and then translated to Kad’yak by a Russian explorer, and finally translated to Kodiak by British Captain James Cook.
Bethel’s name came from the Yup’ik meaning “Smokehouse People” due to the towns fish smokehouse!
Palmer was named after an adventurous entrepreneur, George W. Palmer, who built a successful trading post off the banks of the Matanuska River.
Unalaska’s strange name comes from the Aleut word “Ounalashka”, which translates to “Near the Peninsula”.
And last but not least, my favorite, Nome. There are theories about the origin of this city’s name, but my favorite one by far is that Nome was translated from the Inupiaq word Naami, only the translation was misunderstood and the meaning of the name is “Where at?” I’d say that’s pretty fitting for Nome!
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