File: <placenam0.htm> <Archeology Index <Home>
|
BASQUE PLACE NAMES IN AMERICA AFRICA & THE PACIFIC E.
F. Legner (Contact) Many of the place names in
America, Africa and the Pacific were constructed in a kind of shorthand using
the Basque language or its precursors (Nyland
2001). It is believed that the
individuals responsible for creating these names were ancient migrants from
North Africa and during the Christian Era, Roman Catholic clerics. These people had a detailed knowledge of
an ancient formula for constructing languages called the Vowel-Consonant-Vowel Formula (see VCV Dictionary).
This formula was being used to increase the size of vocabularies since
Neolithic times (see Saharan). The Benedictine clerics who were sent to
spread Christianity through Europe beginning in the 6th Century
had full knowledge of the formula (see Benedictines). Frequently they used clever innovations to
add double meanings to words and sentences, for purposes that are not
entirely understood. The Roman Catholic church indeed
had full knowledge of this formula and used it to create many of the modern
European languages. However, it was
not until the late 20th Century that the formula’s existence was
brought to the public’s attention by Edo Nyland. He discovered that prior to Christian
times there was a common language in use over most of Europe, Africa, and
parts of Asia and in the Pacific that had its ancient origin in North
Africa. He called it the Saharan Language and noted that modern Basque was
most closely related to it. Nyland
also found that the Roman Catholic clergy continued to use the ancient
language into the 19th Century to create new words and place names
wherever they happened to travel. The
Basque/English dictionary written by Gorka
Aulestia (1989) is a valuable source for the meanings of words of the
ancient Saharan language. While translating ancient
inscriptions and place names, Nyland discovered the Basque origin of many of
the names in America and throughout the Pacific that were commonly thought to
be of European or native dialects. He noted that the name “America” did not originate
with the Italian Amerigo Vespucci, but instead came from the Basque verb “amerikak egin”, which means, “to make a fortune.” Following are some of the places
that Nyland found with Basque roots in their names. The traditional meanings of these names are included when
possible. For a complete discussion
of how the translations were made please refer to Nyland (2001) and Etymological
Dictionary. *********************************************** To find Subject Matter Depress Ctrl/F: [Also see World
Place Names] |
|
af.-.ri-ika, afa-ari-ika: afa (happy) arinari eman (to escape) ikaragarritasun (tragedy): "We are happy to have escaped the
tragedy". Agiguan (Marianas) agi-igu-an., agindu (orders) igurika (to wait for) -an (inside): "Wait for orders on the island".
Agrihan (Marianas) agiri-iha-an, agirian (obviously) ihar (arid) -an (inside): "The island is obviously arid". Alabama, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Tribal
Town (Creek Indian)
Basque Meaning = The
many opportunities fill us with joy. Alaska, USA
Traditional
Meanings= Object to which the action of the sea
is directed. &/or An Aleut word
for mainland.
Basque Meaning = Indescribable
miracles. Ailinglapalap (Marshall
Islands) ai-ili-ing.-.la-apa-ala-apo,
ai (strong desire)
ilinti (burning) ingiratu (to get ready) il (to die) apaiz (priest) alabear (fate) apokeria (human sacrifice):
"I have a burning desire to get ready to die the priest's fate of a
human sacrifice". America ameri-ika, ameriketak egin (to make a
fortune) ikaragarri (enormous):
"Make an enormous fortune". Arizona, USA
Traditional Meanings
= Silver Bearing & Place of the small spring
(Papago)
Basque Meanings = An awfully icy
wind here &/or One risks freezing here. Arkansas, USA
Traditional Meaning
= An Indian tribal name
Basque Meaning = The
heartbreaking deaths in the shocking civil war anger me. American Samoa, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Polynesian name.
Basque Meaning = Basque meaning not yet translated.
aur (child): "Child
of Maloelap". aus.-.tra-ali-iha,
ausa-atra-ali-iha: ausarta (courageous) atrakatzaile (robber,
convict) alizan (capable) ihaurri (to scatter, to
go everywhere): "Courageous and capable convicts went everywhere" .be-et.
h.-.le-em., abe-ete he-ele-eme: abeletxe (stable) etenune (time of birth)
hementxe (right here) ele (cattle) emekiro (peaceful):
"The time of birth came right here in the stable between the peaceful
cattle." Bikar (Marshall
Islands) bika-ar.,
bika-arra, bikain (extraordinary)
arrantza (fishing):
"Extraordinarily good fishing". .b.-.ra-azi-il.,
eba-ara-azi-il: ebasle (thief) arrapatu (to plunder) azienda (wealth) ilki (to leave):
"The thieves plundered our wealth and then left". California, USA
Traditional Meaning
= A mythical country named Califia &/or An
invented name for an imaginary island.
Basque Meaning = The disgusting
killing of a person by the quarrelling gold miners is frightening. .ka-ana-ada, akabu (the far end) anaitu (to get
together) ada (the noise of
the last word): "At the far end we'll have a party". Carolina (North & South)
Traditional Meaning
= Carolina named in honor of England’s King
Charles I.
Basque Meaning = no Basque found. txa-ad.,
txa-adi: txankaldu (to divide the
land into fields) adiskedigisa (in a friendly
manner): "They divided the land into fields in a friendly manner". Colorado, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Spanish word for “red”
Basque Meaning = I adore the
colors. Connecticut, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Mohican and Algonquin Indian for “Place beside
the river.”
Basque Meaning = Remember the
wonderful blessings of productivity and tenacity when you visit our utopia. Dakota (North & South)
Traditional Meaning
= Amerindian name meaning “Alliance of friends.”
Basque Meaning = No Basque
meaning. Delaware, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Believed to have been named after governor
Thomas West, Lord de la Warr.
Basque Meaning = Spread the word
of the Redeemer. Ebon (Marshall
Islands) ebo-on.,
ebo-ondi, eboluzio (development) ondikotsu (unfortunate):
"Unfortunate development". egi-ip.-.t.,
egi-ipu-uto: egin (to create) ipuin (legend) utopia (utopia):
"They created the legend of utopia". Florida, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Spanish word for Pascua Florida &/or Flowery
Place (for the flowering trees).
Basque Meaning = None found. .ga-ali-ile,
iga-ali-ile, igarle (prophet) alienatu (to kill a
person) ileta (lament,
mourning): "Lament for the killed prophet". Georgia, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Named for King George II of England.
Basque Meaning = None found. Guam (Marianas) , USA
Traditional Meaning
= Pacific Islander name.
Basque Meaning =.gu-am., agu-ama, agur (greetings) ama (mother): "Greetings
for mother". Guguan (Marianas) .gu-.gu-an,
agu-agu-an, agur (good bye) agur (good bye) andana (people):
"God buy, good buy people". Hawaii, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Hawaiian word for homeland, “Owhyhee.”
Basque Meaning = This one is
exhausting to reach. |
Hilo ,Hawaii ilo, ilobi (tomb, grave): "Site of the grave". Hudson (Bay) .hu-ud.-.so-on.,
uhu-udi-iso-ona, uhui (cry of happiness)
udikan (to get out) isolamendu (isolation) (isolation) onargaitz (intolerable,
hostile): "He cried for joy to get out of the hostile isolation". Idaho, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Amerindian “E Dah Hoe” or Gem of the Mountains.
Basque Meaning = An exaggerated
description. Illinois, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Algonquin word for “warriors.” or “men and
warriors.”
Basque Meaning = This quiet place
possibly will do for a lifetime. Indiana, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Land of the Indians.
Basque Meaning = Our American
brothers. Iowa, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Kiowa name.
Basque Meaning = Be warned about
the thunderstorms. Jerusalem
je-eru-usa-ale-em.,
jentil (pagan) errukigabe (cruel) usadio (custom) alegia (fake) emankortasun (fertility):"Cruel
pagan custom for fake fertility." Kansas
Traditional Meaning
= Sioux Indian “South wind people”
Basque Meaning = The deaths in
the shocking civil war anger me. Kaula ,Hawaii .ka-aula, akabu (the end, when
we get there) aulagotu (to weaken):
"When we got there we were weakened". Kentucky, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Iroquois word “Ken-tah-ten” meaning Land of
Tomorrow &/or Meadow Land
Basque Meaning = I explored that
stony place and rejected it completely. .ke-eni-iha,
ike-eni-iha: ikertu (to pay a visit)
eni (to me) ihardun (to spend
time): "Pay a visit to me and spend some time". Kwajalein (Marshall
Islands) .ku-aja-ale-in.,
aku-aja-ale-in., akuila (to urge on) ajaja (laughter) -ale (agent, cause) indar (strength):
"Laughter urges on and creates strength". Lanai ,Hawaii .la-anai,
ala-anai, alabear (fate) anai (brother):
"The fate of my brother".
lai-izan, laino (foggy) izan (to be): "It
is foggy". Louisiana, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Named for King Louis XIV of France
Basque Meaning = None searched
for. Maine, USA
Traditional Meaning
= From mainland, changed to French province.
Basque Meaning = Cunningly
neutral. Maloelap (Marshall
Islands) ma-alo-ela-ap., maiburuko (guest speaker)
alogerekotu (to be paid
money) ela (story) apaindu (to embellish,
to trump up): "The guest speaker was paid money to embellish the
story". Maryland, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Named for Virgin Mary &/or Henrietta Maria, the
wife of England’s King Charles I.
Basque Meaning = The many tall
oak groves are reduced to ash. Massachusetts, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Algonquian word meaning “At the big hills” or “A
large hill place.”
Basque Meaning = Our task is to
bring about statehood, tilling of the soil, harvesting the abundance and to
do subdivision.
.ma-ug.,
ama-uga, ama (mother) ugalkor (prolific):
"Prolific mother". Maui ,Hawaii .ma-uhi,
ema-uhi, eman (to beat
repeatedly) uhin (wave): "Constantly
beaten by waves". Michigan, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Amerincian word “meieigama” meaning “Great
Water.” &/or Algonquian word meaning “Forest clearing.”
Basque Meaning = The military had
to leave because of the unpredictable food supply. Minnesota, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Sioux Indian word for “Sky-tinted water.”
&/or “Cloudy water.”
Basque Meaning = It is marvelous
anywhere in these exotic wild hills. Mississippi
Traditional Meaning
= Chippewa Indian words “mici zibi” meaning “Great
river.”
Basque Meaning = To my
unspeakable horror he fell into the very deep torrential rain like into the
legendary whirlpool. Missouri, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Amerindian name meaning “Town of the large
canoes” &/or Algonquian for “Muddy River.”
Basque Meaning = Hide from this
miserable torrential rain which keeps falling down. Montana, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Spanish word for “Mountainous.”
Basque Meaning = I loved it among
those pastures in the wonderful wild mountains. Nebraska, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Oto or Sioux Indian word for “Flat water” [=
Platte River].
Basque Meaning = Happily the
evangelist comes here to begin his teachings. Nevada, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Spanish for “Snowy.”
Basque Meaning = Nowhere is
firewood to be cut. New Hampshire, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Named by John Mason who hailed from Hampshire
county, England.
Basque Meaning = None searched
for. New Jersey, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Named by Sir George Carterer after his home
island.
Basque Meaning = None searched for. |
New Mexico, USA
Traditional Meaning = named after Mexico.
Basque Meaning
for Mexico = Gently we introduce elementary teachings. New York, USA
Traditional Meaning = Named after the Duke of York, brother of Charles II.
Basque Meaning = Always caring
and stimulating. Oahu ,Hawaii, oa-ahu, oaratu (in heat) ahuntz (female goat): "Female goat in heat". Ohio, USA
Traditional
Meaning = Iroquois word for “Good river.”
Basque Meaning = Get used to the thunderstorms. Oklahoma, USA
Traditional
Meaning = Choctaw word for “Red man.”
Basque Meaning = Her entire lifetime grandma was giving advice. Quebec, Canada ke-ebe-ek.,
ke-ebe-eku: kementze (act of
encouraging) ebertar (the Hebrew,
Christ) ekurutasun (peace of
mind): "Christ encourages peace of mind". Rota (Marianas) .ro-ota,
arro-ota, arro (proud) otargile (basket maker):
"Proud basket maker". Rhode Island, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Named for Greek Island of Rhodos &/or by
Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, “Rhoode Eylandt.”
Basque Meaning = Awful thunder
clouds. .sa-aha-ara,
iza-aha-ara, izadi (nature,
character) ahalguzti (Almighty) aratz (pure): "The
Omnipotent's character is pure".
The previous translation has been: zahar
(old): "The Old Country?” This is not likely. Saipan (Marianas) sai-aipa, saiaketa (attempt) aipatu (famous for):
"Famous for attempt". .se-ene-ega-al.,
ase-ene-ega-ala: asezin (insatiable
craving) enegan (within me) egape (shelter, home)
alai aldi (happiness):
"Within me there is an insatiable craving for a home and happiness". Taka (Marshall
Islands) taka, takada (Gentle push):
"Give me a gentle push". Tennessee, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Cherokee Indian villages called “Tanasi.”
Basque Meaning = The blessed one
who knows will nourish and protect the afflicted; so pay attention. Texas, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Indian tribal name, “Tejas.”
Basque Meaning = Seek shelter
from the many frightening storms. Utah, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Ute Indian name meaning “People of the
mountains.”
Basque Meaning = They left their
kinship behind. uga-anda, ugaldu (to grow a crop)
andanaka (in large
quantities):"They grow crops in large quantities". Utirik (Marshall
Islands) uti-iri-ik.: utikan (go away) irrikatu (to desire
vehemently) ikara (terror):
"I desire vehemently to get away from the terror". Vermont, USA
Traditional Meaning
= French “verts monts,” meaning “Green Mountains”
Basque Meaning = We improve the
wilderness and give thanks for nature’s blessings. Virginia, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Named for England’s “Virgin Queen, “ Elizabeth
I.
Basque Meaning = The digging of
the canal bed was accomplished by the engineer’s expertise. Washington, USA
Traditional Meaning
= A
personal name from England
Basque Meaning = Well spoken of person
with a carefree disposition who laughs a lot. Wake Island, USA ake, akela (priestess):
"Home of) the priestess". Wisconsin, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Chippewa
word “Ouisconsin,” meaning “Grassy place.” &/or Algonquian for “Long
river.”
Basque Meaning = During the
torrential rain we hid from the thunder, safe and sound, in a stable. Wott (Marshall
Islands) ot., ota, otalur (land covered
with furze): "Island covered with furze (Leguminosae)". Wyoming, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Algonquin
or Delaware word meaning “Large prairie” or “Broad plains.”
Basque Meaning = The thunder is
drawing near from all around. Oregon, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Not clear (early map shows “Ouaicon-sint.”
Basque Meaning = So many
wonderful opportunities. Pagan (Marianas) .pa-aga-an.,
opa-aga-ana, opari (sacrifice) -aga (abundance of) anaigo (group of
worshippers): "Group of worshippers with an abundance of sacrifice". Papua (New Guinea) apapua (living in
poverty): "They live in poverty". Pennsylvania, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Named for Admiral William Penn and “sylvan”
meaning woodland.
Basque Meaning = Pena/pen in
Basque means suffering. .pe-eru,
ape-eru: apez (priest) errukigabe (cruel): "The
priests are cruel". Puerto Rico, USA
Traditional Meaning
= Spanish for “Rich port.”
Basque Meaning = No Basque
searched for. |
======================================================
For further detail, please
refer to:
Nyland, Edo. 2001. Linguistic Archaeology: AnIntroduction. Trafford Publ., Victoria, B.C., Canada.
ISBN 1-55212-668-4. 541 p. [
see abstract & summary]
Nyland, Edo. 2002.
Odysseus and the Sea Peoples: A
Bronze Age History of Scotland Trafford Publ., Victoria,
B.C., Canada.
307 p. [see
abstract & summary].
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------