The Reasons Why Place Names in Arizona Are so Named!

Arizona has some interesting place names, and like the name of the state, has some interesting controversies over the history and meaning of the names. Does Arizona come from the Papago Indian name "Aleh-Zon" meaning young spring? Or is it from the Aztec word "Arizuma" meaning "silver bearing." Some argue the word is a contrived english word referring to the state as an "Arid Zone." What is known for certain is that in 1754 Padre Ortega referred to this area as "Real de Arizona." Read the other fascinating stories behind the place names of Arizona.