Exploring American Indian Words in Everyday English
- Ishmael Bey
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
Language is a reflection of culture, and the words we use often carry stories from the past. Many American Indian words have found a home in the English language, reminding us of the rich linguistic heritage of Indigenous peoples. Without realizing it, we use these words every day, taking their presence for granted. Let’s explore some of these words and their fascinating origins.
Nature and Wildlife
From the dense forests to the open plains, American Indian words capture the essence of nature. The moose and the caribou, both names of majestic creatures, come from Algonquian languages. Similarly, the mischievous raccoon and the small, striped chipmunk owe their names to Indigenous roots. The pungent spray of a skunk is unmistakable, another word from Algonquian origin.
The Tupi-Guarani language, native to South America, gave us jaguar and piranha. In the high Andes, the Quechua people introduced words like llama, alpaca, and condor, each representing iconic animals of the region. The coyote, a symbol of resilience in many Indigenous cultures, comes from the Nahuatl language.
Food and Agriculture
American Indian influence on culinary terms is just as profound. The tomato, chili, and avocado are all derived from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs. The Quechua people contributed potato and quinoa, both essential staples in modern diets. Pecan and squash, commonly enjoyed across North America, trace their origins to Indigenous languages like Algonquian and Narragansett.
If you enjoy a smoky barbecue, thank the Taino people, whose word barbecue refers to their traditional method of slow-cooking meat. Even the beloved chocolate traces its name to the Aztecs, who prepared a bitter drink from cacao beans. Guacamole and chipotle are further culinary gifts, bringing Indigenous flavors to the world.
7 English words with native American origins
Culture and Shelter
Indigenous culture also left a mark on how we describe traditional dwellings and communal practices. The wigwam and the hogan are examples of Indigenous homes, with roots in Algonquian and Navajo languages. Similarly, a teepee (or tipi) originates from the Sioux language, referring to the iconic cone-shaped tent.
A powwow remains a vibrant celebration of culture and community. From the Pacific Northwest, we have the concept of the totem, representing a spiritual connection through carved figures. Additionally, the word kiva, originating from the Hopi, refers to sacred underground ceremonial spaces. Even sequoia, the name of the towering tree, pays tribute to the Cherokee scholar Sequoyah.
Everyday Influence
Aboriginal words are seamlessly woven into our daily conversations. Whether you take a canoe ride across a serene lake, relax on a grassy savanna, or admire the scenic mesa in the Southwest, these words connect us to the lands and cultures that shaped them. The Taino word hurricane serves as a powerful reminder of the natural forces Indigenous people understood and named.
In colder climates, the Inuit contributions of kayak, igloo, and mukluk are practical terms we often use without considering their origins. Likewise, the Algonquian word bayou evokes images of Southern waterways, and tomahawk recalls Indigenous tools now symbolized in sports and pop culture.
Recognizing Indigenous Contributions
It’s easy to take Indigenous words for granted. Yet every time we use these terms, we acknowledge the enduring legacy of American Indian cultures. These words represent traditions, innovations, and deep knowledge of the natural world. By recognizing their origins, we celebrate the linguistic heritage of Indigenous peoples.
Next time you savor a spicy chipotle dish, bundle up in a warm parka (a word from the Inuit), or spot a coyote howling at night, consider the American Indian roots embedded in these words. They are more than just terms; they are vibrant echoes of Indigenous heritage, enriching our language and understanding of the world around us.
List of 133 Words That Came From Native American Languages
Here's a list of 60 American Indian words that have been incorporated into the English language, along with their origins where applicable:
Canoe (Carib)
Barbecue (Taino)
Hurricane (Taino)
Guava (Taino)
Manatee (Carib)
Savanna (Taino)
Yam (West African via Taino)
Tobacco (Taino)
Tomato (Nahuatl – Aztec)
Chocolate (Nahuatl – Aztec)
Avocado (Nahuatl – Aztec)
Chili (Nahuatl – Aztec)
Coyote (Nahuatl – Aztec)
Ocelot (Nahuatl – Aztec)
Chipotle (Nahuatl – Aztec)
Guacamole (Nahuatl – Aztec)
Jaguar (Tupi-Guarani)
Tapir (Tupi-Guarani)
Anaconda (Tupi-Guarani)
Iguana (Arawak)
Cacao (Maya/Nahuatl)
Papaya (Carib/Arawak)
Potato (Quechua)
Quinoa (Quechua)
Llama (Quechua)
Condor (Quechua)
Puma (Quechua)
Vicuna (Quechua)
Alpaca (Quechua)
Tomahawk (Algonquian)
Wigwam (Algonquian)
Moose (Algonquian)
Caribou (Algonquian)
Raccoon (Algonquian)
Chipmunk (Algonquian)
Skunk (Algonquian)
Powwow (Narragansett/Algonquian)
Sachem (Algonquian)
Quahog (Narragansett)
Pecan (Illinois/Miami)
Bayou (Choctaw)
Coyote (Nahuatl)
Mesa (Spanish from Nahuatl)
Kiva (Hopi)
Hogan (Navajo)
Squash (Narragansett)
Sequoia (Cherokee)
Chinook (Chinook Jargon)
Tundra (Sami, though often used to describe Indigenous Arctic lands)
Inukshuk (Inuktitut)
Kayak (Inuit)
Igloo (Inuit)
Muktuk (Inuit)
Mukluk (Inuit)
Totem (Chinook Jargon via Indigenous Pacific Northwest)
Savvy (Spanish, possibly from Taino through pidgin English)
Tomol (Chumash)
Anasazi (Navajo, referring to ancient Puebloans)
Conecuh ( Mvskoke )
Alabama ( Chata )
FIRST TRIBE
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