Trump Floats Renaming States With Spanish and Indigenous Origins

September 7 , 2026

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday expressed surprise at the number of U.S. state names derived from Spanish and Indigenous languages, suggesting that they could be replaced with what he called “strong American names.”

Speaking during an event at the White House, Trump remarked on the origins of several state names, including California, Colorado, Nevada, Montana, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, which have Spanish-language roots or connections. He also referred broadly to states whose names originated in Indigenous languages, including Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.

“We have a lot of names that people don’t even realize are Spanish or Indian,” Trump said. “Some are beautiful names, but maybe we should have names that are very strong, very American.”

The president did not identify specific replacement names or propose a formal process for changing state names, though he did suggest that North and South Dakota could simply be named North and South Trump. Under the U.S. Constitution, states retain significant authority over their own internal affairs, and any effort to alter a state’s official name would likely require action by state governments as well as changes to a wide range of federal laws, maps, records and institutions.

Historians note that state names reflect layers of the country’s past, including Indigenous nations that lived across North America long before European colonization, as well as Spanish, French, Dutch and English territorial claims. The name “Texas,” for example, is generally traced to a Caddo word meaning “friends” or “allies,” while “Ohio” comes from an Iroquoian word often translated as “great river.” “Colorado” and “Nevada” are Spanish words associated with the colors red and snow-covered terrain, respectively.

Reaction to the remarks was mixed. Supporters said the idea fit Trump’s longstanding emphasis on patriotic symbolism and national identity. Critics argued that replacing names of Indigenous or Spanish origin would erase evidence of the country’s cultural and historical development.

Several state officials said they had received no formal communication from the White House about a renaming initiative. Cultural and tribal organizations called for public consultation before any proposed changes affecting names with Indigenous roots.

Olivia Asher