In Canada, as elsewhere, place names can carry a fascinating history. Surprisingly, many names come from native American languages: the country’s own name originates in the Iroquoian kanata, meaning ’village’ or ’settlement.’ Originally, Canada referred to what is now Quebec City, but over time came to refer to a larger area.
Indigenous languages appear in the background of many cities. Quebec comes from kepék ’narrow passage,’ Ottawa from adawe ’to trade,’ and Winnipeg from win-nip ’muddy water.’ As for Toronto, the name likely comes from tkaranto, which refers to trees in the water.
Settlements often take their names from nearby rivers or bodies of water. Into the 17th century, the French name for the St. Lawrence River was Rivière du Canada. Ottawa and Winnipeg are the names of rivers as well, and Lake Ontario gave its name to an entire province. The name Ontario may come from from a Huron word onitariio, ‘beautiful lake,’ or the Iroquoian kanadario, ’sparkling water’ or ‘beautiful water.’ The name of Niagara, the most famous place in Ontario, is also Iroquois-based; onguiaahra stands for ’strait’ or ’neck.’