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How did Indigenous languages influence the vocabulary of American English?

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Global use of the English language — English language Map showing the use of English as a first language, as an important second language, and as an official language in countries around the world.

The English language has been significantly influenced by the diverse Indigenous languages of North America through the borrowing of vocabulary, particularly regarding local flora, fauna, and cultural items.1

Vocabulary Contributions

English speakers adopted numerous terms from Indigenous languages to describe elements of the environment and culture they had not previously encountered. Notable examples include:

Animals: Caribou, chipmunk, moose, opossum, raccoon, and skunk.213
Plants and Food: Hickory, hominy, persimmon, and squash.1
Cultural Items and Concepts: Igloo, kayak, moccasin, mugwump, papoose, pemmican, potlatch, powwow, sachem, tepee (tipi), toboggan, tomahawk, totem, and wickiup.13

Geographical Influence

The influence of Indigenous languages is perhaps most visible in the names of places across the continent. Many states, cities, rivers, and mountains derive their names from Indigenous terms, such as Alaska, Connecticut, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. These names often reflect descriptive meanings, such as Connecticut (from an Algonquian word meaning "land on the long tidal river") or Minnesota (from a Dakota word meaning "cloudy water").41