French Names in Arkansas

1. French Names in Arkansas Did you know that the name “Arkansas” is French? Well, not exactly, but it is the French interpretation of the name the Quapaw people called this region. Early French explorers wrote of “acansa”, or “Arkansa”, as the river where Quapaw lived. The plural form “Arkansas”, referring to the people who lived along this river, became the name given to the territory and eventually the state.

2. Thanks to early French explorers, trappers, and tradesmen, many geographical features of the state have French names.  Though much of these frontiersmen's history is lost, some places have retained their French names, while others have become Anglicized versions of their original names.  Here is an interactive map of Arkansas with many examples of these names.  Click on some of the rivers and towns to hear them in French and English! French Names in Arkansas

3. Gravette Delaplaine Fayetteville Ozark Fort Smith Russellville Galla Rock Auvergne Dardanelle Cadron Des Arc Fourche Petit Jean Poteau Palarm Maumelle Little Rock Avant Lagrange Bayou Meto De Roche Mazarn Buie Lawrenceville De Queen Arkadelphia Pine Bluff Click on a river, county, or city to hear the French and English names! Arkansas Post Antoine Dumas Tollette Ozan De Ann Bodcaw Camden Bellaire Frenchport Montrose Lamartine Smackover Chicot Boeuf