Alaska Place Names
From Aats Bay in the southeast to the Zyzek-twina River near the Seward Peninsula, Alaska's place names reflect the colorful history of the state. In the book, Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, the U. S. Geological Survey has brought together a collection of over 40,000 of these. Some, such as Qimiqpayaat Kuugauzanga (Eskimo for Short Ridge Creek) may have a slightly foreign ring to the English ear, while others such as Old Dummy Lake have a downright homey touch.
Alaska geographic names derive primarily from six general sources. Major contributions have evolved from native names provided by the indigenous people of Alaska--Indian, Eskimo and Aleut. In the native tongues, these are typically descriptive in nature. They differ from the European practice in that the Natives tend to name small landmark features and ignore the large. In addition, several names were commonly applied to one feature. A stream, for instance, may have various names along its length, depending on different characteristics.
Thus, we have Angoyachtoly Creek, which means "extends into the tundra as far as a kayak can travel in a day." Or Aniyuyaktuvik Creek, which means "place where wind has hardened snow so that a snow house can be built." Native names commonly begin with A's and I's, and anything beginning with a K stands a better-than-even chance of being native.
The Russians, Spanish, French, British and Americans have provided the bulk of the rest of Alaska geographic names. The Russians, led by Vitus Bering, officially "discovered" Alaska on July 16, 1741, spurring the lucrative fur trade and later settlements in the Aleutians and on the southern coastal areas. After the American purchase, many Russian names were translated, but several hundred still exist. Makushin Volcano in the Aleutians, for example, is Russian for "crown of the head."
Spanish exploration of Alaska, while contemporaneous with the Russian efforts, was confined mostly to the southern coast. Because the Spanish were late or desultory in publishing the names they had given landmarks, few remain. Madre de Dios Island in the southeast Alaska is one that does.
The French never got beyond southeastern Alaska, and have fewer names to show for it than even the Spanish.
British naming activity in Alaska began with the 1778 expedition of Captain James Cook. From time to time during the subsequent 80 years, English traders and naval officers, particularly Captain George Vancouver, contributed to the knowledge of Alaskan geography, and most of the names of major coastal features can be attributed them.
The American influx following the purchase of Alaska, and especially during the Gold Rush days, provided the state with some of its most colorful (and racy) place names. On a whole, however, the average prospector did not appear to display much originality. Thus, we find scores of Creeks, Hills and other features bearing names like Prospect, Eureka, Bonanza, Cache, Grubstake, Placer, Nugget and Bullion. Among them, there are plenty of rocks (Granite is the favorite with 61 entries) and minerals (Gold with 92).
Just about any kind of animal is a favorite name for a mountain, river, island or whatever. Taking creeks alone, there are 57 Bear Creeks, 47 Moose, 29 Eagle, 28 Sheep, 27 Beaver, 26 Fox, 23 Caribou and .20 Ptarmigan.
There are localities of features named for 38 of the 50 states. One might assume that Alaska would lead the list (Alaska Peninsula, Alaska Range, etc.), but it is in a dismal 8th place with only 8 entries. Running away with the contest is California with 36, followed by Montana with 19, Colorado with 18, Idaho with 16, Washington with 12, Virginia with 11 and Texas with 10.
Clearly, if Alaska can't beat Texas on its own ground, something is amiss.
