List of Ojibwa ethnonyms


This is a list of various names the Ojibwa have been recorded. They can be divided based on who coined the names. The first type are names created by the Ojibwa people to refer to themselves, known as endonyms or autonyms. The second type are names coined by non-Ojibwa people and are known as exonyms or xenonyms.

Endonyms

Anishinaabe(g)

The most general name for the Ojibwa is Anishinaabe. Though several definitions are given for this name, the most common one is "spontaneous men", referring to their creation as being ex nihilo, thus being the "Original men." When syncoped, the name appears as "Nishnaabe":
In more recent spelling includes:
  • Ahnishinahbæótjibway
  • Anishinabek
  • Anishinaubae
  • Anishnabai
  • Nishnawbe

Inini(wag)

The general term for many Ojibwa is to refer to themselves as an Inini, opposed to some other life forms:
  • Ninniwas. — Rafinesque, Am. Nations, I, 123, 1836.

Ojibwe(g)

Several different explanations are given for the common name Ojibwe.
Today, it finds its way in English as "Ojibwa" or "Chippewa", but have had many different recorded variations in the past:
  • Achipoés. — Prise de Possession in Perrot, Mém., 293,1864.
  • Achipoué. — warn in Minnesota Historical Society Collections, V, 398, 1885
  • Anchipawah. — Boudinot, Star in the West, 126, 1816.
  • Chebois. — Gass, Jour., 47, note, 1807.
  • Chepawas. — Croghan quoted by Kauffman, West. Penn., 132, app., 1851.
  • Chepeways. — Croghan in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 4th s., IX, 287,1871.
  • Chepowas. — Croghan quoted by Proud, Penn., II, 296, 1798.
  • Cheppewes. — Shirley in New York Documents of Colonial History, VI, 1027,1855.
  • Chiappawaws. — Loudon, Coll. Int. Nar., I, 34, 1808.
  • Chibois. — Bouquet in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 4th session, IX, 295, 1871.
  • Chipawawas. — Goldthwait in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 1st session, X, 122, 1809.
  • Chipaways. — Croghan, Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 4th session, IX, 250,1871.
  • Chipaweighs. — German Flats conf. in New York Documents of Colonial History, VIII, 229, 1857.
  • Chipewas. — Lattré, map U.S., 1784.
  • Chipéways. — Carver Trav., 19, 1778.
  • Chipeweghs. — Johnson in New York Documents of Colonial History, VII, 526, 1856.
  • Chipeweighs. — Johnson, New York Documents of Colonial History, 583, 1856.
  • Chipiwa. — Treaty of 1820, U. S. Ind. Treat., 369,1873.
  • Chipoës. — Prise de Possession in New York Documents of Colonial History, IX, 803, 1855.
  • Chippawas. — Croghan quoted by Jefferson, Notes, 143, 1825.
  • Chipawees. — Writer of 1756 Massachusetts Historical Society Collections 1st Session, VII, 123, 1801.
  • Chippeouays. — Toussaint, map of America, 1839.
  • Chippewaes. — Johnson in New York Documents of Colonial History, VII, 525, 1856.
  • Chippewais. — Perrot in Minnesota Historical Society Collections II, pt. 2, 24, 1864.
  • Chippewas. — Washington quoted by Kauffman, West. Penn., 67, 1851.
  • Chippewaus. — Edwards in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 1st Session, IX, 92, 1804.
  • Chippeways. — La Chauvignerie quoted by Schoolcraft, Indian Tribes, III, 556, 1858.
  • Chippeweighs. — Johnson in New York Documents of Colonial History, VII, 969, 1856.
  • Chippewyse. — Ft Johnson conf., New York Documents of Colonial History, VI, 975, 1855.
  • Chippoways. — Washington in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 1st S., VI, 140, 1800.
  • Chippuwas. — Heckewelder quoted by Barton, New Views, app. 1, 1798.
  • Chipwaes. — Croghan in New York Documents of Colonial History, VII, 782, 1856.
  • Chipwas — Bouquet in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 4th Session, IX, 321, 1871.
  • Chipways. — Croghan, in New York Documents of Colonial History, VII, 782, 1856.
  • Cypoways. — Beltrami quoted by Neill, Minnesota, 350, 1858.
  • Dshipowē-hága. — Gatschet, Caughnawaga Manuscript, Bureau of American Ethnology, 1882.
  • Etchipoës. — Prise de possession, New York Documents of Colonial History, IX, 808, 1855.
  • Gibbaways. — Imlay, West Ter., 363, 1797.
  • Icbewas. — Boudinot, Star in the West, 126, 1816.
  • Jibewas. — Smith quoted by Drake, Trag. Wild., 213, 1841.
  • Objibways. — Kingsley, Stand. Nat. Hist., pt. 6, 143, 1883.
  • O1′-che1pe2′wa1g. — Long, Exped. St. Peter’s River, II, 151, 1824.
  • Ochipawa. — Umfreville in Maine Historical Society Collections, VI, 270, 1859.
  • Ochipewa. — Richardson, Arct. Exped., 71, 1851.
  • Ochipoy. — York in New York Documents of Colonial History, IV, 749,1854.
  • Ochippewais. — Foster in Sen. Misc. Doc. 39, 42d Cong., 3d Session, 6, 1873.
  • Odchipewa. — Hutchins quoted by Richardson, Arct. Exped., II, 38, 1851.
  • Odgjiboweke. — Perrot. Mém.193.1864.
  • Odjibewais. — Ibid.
  • Od-jib-wäg. — Schoolcraft quoted in Minnesota Historical Society Collections, V, 35, 1885.
  • Odjibwas. — Schoolcraft, Indian Tribes, I, 307, 1851.
  • Odjibwe. — Kelton, Ft Mackinac, 153, 1884.
  • Odjibwek. — Belcourt in Minnesota Historical Society Collections, I, 227, 1872.
  • Ogibois. — M'Lean, Hudson Bay, II, 323, 1849.
  • O-je-bway. — Jones, Ojebway Indians, 164, 1861.
  • Ojeebois. — Henry, Manuscript Vocabulary, 1812.
  • Ojibaway. — Lewis and Clark, Trav. 53, 1806.
  • Ojibbewaig. — Tanner, Narr., 315, 1830.
  • Ojibbeways. — Tanner, Narr., 36, 1830.
  • Ojibboai. — Hoffman, Winter in the Far West, II, 15, 1821.
  • Ojibeways. — Perkins and Peck, Annals of the West, 1850.
  • Ojibois. — Gunn in Smithson. Rep., 400, 1868.
  • Ojibua. —Maximilian, Trav., 135, note, 1843.
  • O-jib-wage. — Morgan, Systems of Consanguinity and Affinity of the Human Family, 287, 1871.
  • Ojibwaig. — Hale, Ethnog. and Philol. Mo. Val., 224, 1846.
  • Ojibwas. — Indian Affairs Report, 454, 1838.
  • O-jib-wa-uk′. — Morgan, Systems of Consanguinity and Affinity of the Human Family, 287, 1871.
  • Ojibways. — American Pioneer, II, 190, 1843.
  • Ojibway-ugs. — Foster in Sen. Misc. Doc. 39, 42d Congress, 3d session, 6, 1873.
  • Ojibwe. — Burton, City of the Saints, 117, 1861.
  • Oshibwek. — Belcourt in Minnesota Historical Society Collections, I, 227, 1872.
  • Otchepóse. — "Procès verbal" in French, Historical Collections of Louisiana, II, 19, 1875.
  • Otchipoeses. — La Salle in Margry, Déc., II, 187, 1877.
  • Otchipois. — La Salle in French, Hist. Coll. La., I, 46, 1846.
  • Otchipoises. — Hildreth, Pioneer History, 9, 1848.
  • Otchipwe. — Baraga, Otchipwe Grammar, title, 1878.
  • Otjibwek. — Perrot, Mém., 193, 1864.
  • Ottapoas. — Buchanan, North American Indians, 156, 1824.
  • Oucahipues. — La Hontan, New Voyage, II, 87, 1735.
  • Ouchibois. — Writer of 1761 in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 4th Session, IX, 428, 1871.
  • Ouchipawah. — Pike quoted by Schoolcraft, Indian Tribes, III, 563, 1853.
  • Ouchipöe. — La Chesnaye in Margry, Déc., VI, 6, 1886.
  • Ouchipoves. — Coxe, Carolana, map, 1741.
  • Outachepas. — McKenney and Hall, Indian Tribes, III, 79, 1854.
  • Outchibouec. — Jesuit Relations: 1667, 24, 1858.
  • Outchibous. — Jesuit Relations: 1670, 79, 1858.
  • Outchipoue. — Gallinèe in Margry, Déc. I, 163, 1875.
  • Outchipwais. — Bell in Can. Med. and Surg. Jour., Mar. and Apr., 1886.
  • Outehipoues. — La Hontan, New Voyage, I, 230, 1703.
  • Schipuwe. — Heckewelder quoted by Barton, New Views, app., 1, 1798.
  • Shepawees. — Lindesay in New York Documents of Colonial History, VI, 538, 1855.
  • Shepewas. — Bradstreet, New York Documents of Colonial History, VII, 694, 1856.
  • Shepuway. — Heckewelder quoted by Barton, New Views, app., 1, 1798.
  • Tcipu′. — Dorsey, Kansas Manuscript Vocabulary, B.A.E., 1882.
  • Tschipeway. — Wrangell, Ethnol. Nachr., 100, 1839.
  • Tschippiweer. — Walch, map, 1805.
  • Tsipu′. — Dorsey, Osage Manuscript Vocabulary, Bureau of American Ethnology, 1883.
  • Uchipweys. — Dalton in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 1st Session, X, 123, 1809.

Baawitigong

Due to the long association of the Ojibwa with the Sault Ste. Marie region, and more specifically with the Rapids of the St. Mary's River, the common name for the Ojibwa became Baawitigong, meaning "those at the rapids":
  • Baouichtigouin. — Jesuit Relations: 1640, 34, 1858.
  • Bawichtigouek. — Jesuit Relations: 1640, index, 1858.
  • Bawichtigouin. — Jesuit Relations: 1640, index, 1858.
  • Paouichtigouin. — Jesuit Relations, III, index, 1858.
  • Paouitagoung. — Jesuit Relations, III, index, 1858.
  • Paouitigoueieuhak . — Jesuit Relations, III, index, 1858.
  • Paouitingouach-irini . — Jesuit Relations, III, index, 1858.

Nii’inawe(g)

The term Nii'inawe means " our nation's language" and is a generic term used by the Algonquian peoples to refer to fellow Algonquian peoples.
  • Né-a-ya-og′. — Hayden, Ethnog. and Philol. Mo. Val. 235, 1862.

Bangii(yaad)

The term Bangii means "a little bit", often used to refer to the Métis:
  • Bungees. — Henry, Manuscript Vocabulary, 1812.

Exonyms

Wendat names

The general Wendat name for the Ojibwa is "Ehstihaĝeron," which is a translation of "Baawitigong":
  • Axshissayé-rúnu. — Gatschet. Wyandot MS., B.A.E., 1881.
  • Eskiaeronnon. — Jesuit Relations 1649, 27, 1858.
  • Estiaghes. — Albany conf. in New York Documents of Colonial History, V, 791, 1855.
  • Estiaghicks. Colden, New York Documents of Colonial History, IV, 737, note, 1854.
  • Estjage. — Livingston, New York Documents of Colonial History, 899, 1854.
  • Ontehibouse. — Raymbaut quoted in Indian Affairs Report 1849, 70, 1850.
  • Ostiagaghroones. — Canajoharie conf. in New York Documents of Colonial History, VII, 384, 1856.
  • Ostiagahoroones. — Neill in Minnesota Historical Society Collections, V, 397, 1885.
  • Stiaggeghroano. — Post quoted by Proud, Penn., II, app., 113, 1798.
  • Stiagigroone. — Livingston in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., IV, 737, 1854.

French names

The general French name for the Ojibwa is "Saulteur", a translation of "Baawitigong". In early French North America, the term "sault" referred to a type of rapids in which the waters appeared to tumble or roll:
  • Jumpers. — Neill, Minnesota, 36, 1858.
  • Leapers. — Hennepin, New Discov., 86, 1698.
  • Nation du Sault. — Jogues and Raymbaut in Jesuit Relations 1642, II, 95,1858.
  • Salteur. — Bacqueville de la Potherie, II, 48, 1753.
  • Santeaux. — Brown, Western Gazette, 265, 1817.
  • Santena. — Gunn in Smithsonian Report 1867, 400, 1868.
  • Santeurs. — Dobbs, Hudson Bay, 26, 1744.
  • Saulteaux. — Beauharnois in Minnesota Historical Society Collections, V, 432, 1885.
  • Saulteurs. — Jesuit Relations 1670, 79, 1858.
  • Saulteuse. — Belcourt in Minnesota Historical Society Collections, I, 228, 1872.
  • Saulteux. — Gallinée in Margry, Déc., I, 163, 1875.
  • Sault Indians. — Vaudreuil in New York Documents of Colonial History, IX, 843, 1855.
  • Sauteaux. — Gamelin in Am. St. Papers, IV, 94, 1832.
  • Sauters. — Schermerhorn in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections 2d Session, II, 6, 1814.
  • Sauteurs. — Jesuit Relations 1667, 24, 1858.
  • Sauteus. — Cox, Columbia River, II, 270, 1831.
  • Sauteux. — Vaudreuil in New York Documents of Colonial History, IX, 893, 1855.
  • Sautor. — Carver, Trav., 97, 1778.
  • Sautous. — King, Journ. to Arct. Ocean, I, 32, 1836.
  • Sautoux. — King, Journ. to Arct. Ocean, I, 32, 1836.
  • Sothuze. — Dalton in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 1st s., X, 123, 1890.
  • Sotoes. — Cox, Columbia R., II, 270, 1831.
  • Sotoos. — Franklin, Journ. Polar Sea, 96, 1824.
  • Sotto. — Kane, Wanderings in North America, 438, 1859.
  • Soulteaux. — Henry, Manuscript Vocabulary, 1812.
  • Souteus. — La Chauvignerie quoted by Schoolcraft, Indian Tribes, III, 556,1853.
  • Souties. — American Pioneer, II, 192,1843.

Dakota names

The general Dakota name for the Ojibwa is "Iyoħaħáŋtoŋ" or "those at the waterfall", which is a loose translation of "Baawitigong":
  • Hāhatona. — Featherstonhaugh, Canoe Voy., I, 300, 1847.
  • Ĥaĥatonwan. — Iapi Oaye, XIII, no. 2, 6, Feb., 1884.
  • Haĥátoŋwŋ. — Riggs, Dakota Dictionary, 72, 1852.
  • Ĥahatonway. — Matthews, Hidatsa Indians, 150, 1877.
  • Ha4-ha4t-to3ng. — Long, Exped. Rocky Mountains, II, lxxxiv, 1823.
  • Ĥa-há-tu-a. — Matthews, Hidatsa Indians, 150, 1877.
  • Ha-ha-twawms. — Neill, Minnesota, 113, 1858.
  • Hah-hah-ton-wah. — Gale, Upper Mississippi, 265, 1867.
  • Hrah-hrah-twauns. — Ramsey in Minnesota Historical Society Collections, I, 501 1872.
  • Khahkhahtons. — Snelling, Tales of the Northwest, 137, 1830.
  • Khakhatons. — Ibid., 144.
  • Khakhatonwan. — Williamson, Minn. Geol. Rep. for 1884, 107.
  • Qa-qán-to n-wa. — Dorsey, oral information, 1886.
  • Ra-ra-to-oans. — Warren in Minnesota Historical Society Collections, V, 96, 1885.
  • Ra-ra-t'wans. — Ramsey in Ind. Aff. Rep. 1849, 72, 1850.
  • Wah-kah-towah. — Tanner, Narr., 150, 1830.

Iroquoian names

The general Iroquoian name for the Ojibwa is "Dwăkănĕņ", recorded variously as:
  • De-wă-kă-nhă'. — Hewitt, Mohawk Manuscript Vocabulary, Bureau of American Ethnology.
  • Dewoganna's. — Bellomont in New York Documents of Colonial History, IV, 407, 1854.
  • Douaganhas. — Cortland, New York Documents of Colonial History, III, 434, 1853.
  • Douwaganhas. — Cortland, New York Documents of Colonial History, III, 434, 1853.
  • Dovaganhaes. — Livingston, New York Documents of Colonial History, III, 778, 1855.
  • Dowaganahs. — Doc. of 1700, New York Documents of Colonial History, IV, 701, 1854.
  • Dowaganhas. — Cortland, New York Documents of Colonial History, III, 434, 1855.
  • Dowanganhaes. — Doc. of 1691, New York Documents of Colonial History, III, 1776, 1855.
  • Dwă-kă-nĕn. — Hewitt, Onondaga Manuscript Vocabulary, B.A. E..
  • Dwă-kă-nhă'. — Hewitt, Seneca and Onondaga Vocabulary, Bureau of American Ethnology, 1880.
  • Nwă '-kă. — Hewitt, Tuscarora Manuscript Vocabulary, Bureau of American Ethnology, 1880.
  • Twă -'kă′-nhă'. — Smith, Cayuga and Oneida Manuscript Vocabularies, Bureau of American Ethnology, 1884.

Athapaskan names

  • Bedzaqetcha. — Petitot, Montagnais Manuscript Vocabulary, Bureau of American Ethnology, 1869.
  • Bedzietcho. — Petitot, Hare Manuscript Vocabulary, Bureau of American Ethnology, 1869.

Other names

  • Cabellos realzados. — Duro, Don Diego de Peñalosa, 43, 1882.
  • Cheveux-relevés. — Samuel de Champlain, 1615.
  • Kútaki. — Gatschet, Fox Manuscript, Bureau of American Ethnology, 1882.
  • Regači. — St Cyr, oral information, 1886.
  • Sáhea'e. — Cheyenne name. Possibly the same name as an unknown tribe whom the Dakota Sioux call "Šahíya," assumed to mean Cree, to which its diminutive "Šahíyena" is the basis for the name "Cheyenne."