I taught Alabama History and according to several textbook authors, Alabama is a Choctaw word which means "thicket clearers" or "vegetation gatherers." The definition given in "Indian Place Names in Alabama" by James B. McMillan, University of Alabama Press, 1994: "Alabama is derived from Choctaw alba, "plants," "weeds," plus amo, "to cut," "to trim," "to gather"--that is, "those who clear the land," or "thicket clearers." ----- Original Message ----- From: <arne.roos@chello.se> To: <CHOCTAW-SOUTHEAST-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2002 11:54 AM Subject: [CHOCTAW-SE] the name Alabama > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/4gC.2ACE/1026 > > Message Board Post: > > I am writing a book on etymology, the history behind words and names and I desperatly need information about the name Alabama. It is said to come from Choctaw language but that has not not been confirmed to me. If anyone who reads this has any information about the subject OR can redirect me to any other source, I am very grateful. > > Mr Arne Roos, writer > Stockholm, Sweden > > arne.roos@chello.se > > > ==== CHOCTAW-SOUTHEAST Mailing List ==== > Got a PROBLEM?? Got a GRIPE?? Just wanna'WHINE?? Don't post it to the list...write to me at CHOCTAW-SOUTHEAST-admin@rootsweb.com > >