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Who named Arizona? Might have been the Basques Today's question: Ever since I moved here about seven years ago, I have wondered about the name of this state. I have asked some of my friends and no one can give me an answer. Is it possible that it came from "arid-zone?” Is it possible? Sure, anything is possible. However, in this case it is wrong, although a lot of people believe the “arid-zone” thing. For a long time, historians accepted the idea that the name Arizona came from a Tohono O'odhom phrase "ali-shonak," meaning "small spring." It referred to an area about 25 miles southwest of present-day Nogales where silver was discovered in 1736. However, in recent years the “ali-shonak” idea has been replaced by a new theory, according to state historian Marshall Trimble. Trimble is now leaning toward an idea put forward by historian Don Garate. Garate believed “Arizona” came from the Basque words “aritz,” meaning “good” and “ona,” meaning “oak.” There were plenty of Basque folks in the region, including Juan Bautista de Anza, the famous explorer. And Garate has pointed out that there are a number of other places in South America with the name “Arizona.” There were a lot of Basques living in those areas, plus plenty of white oaks. You can read Garate's ideas in a 1999 article in the “Journal of Arizona History.” Anyway, the Basque idea seems to be good enough for good old Marshall Trimble, and that makes it good enough for me. Are there environmental benefits to the large movement of water and soil caused by a tsunami? That's an interesting idea. There may be, but if there are I couldn't find them. Reach Thompson at clay.thompson@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8612.
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