ALASKA - The name "Alaska" evokes images of vast wilderness, majestic glaciers, and an untamed frontier. While this name has become synonymous with the 49th U.S. state, its origins are far older and more complex than its acquisition by the United States. There wasn't a single, overarching "original name" for the entirety of this enormous landmass, as it was inhabited by diverse Indigenous groups for thousands of years, each with their own names for their territories. However, the name "Alaska" itself directly stems from an Indigenous language, filtered through Russian exploration and settlement.
Unpacking the Indigenous and Russian Roots of Alaska's Name
Alyeska: The Aleut Root
The most direct linguistic predecessor to "Alaska" comes from the Aleut language. The Aleut people are Indigenous to the Aleutian Islands, the Alaskan Peninsula, and parts of the Russian Far East.
- "Alakshak" or "Alyeska": The term believed to be the root of "Alaska" is often cited as "Alakshak" or "Alyeska," meaning "mainland," "great land," or "the land that is not an island." This name likely referred explicitly to the Alaskan Peninsula or the vast continental landmass, distinguishing it from the islands where many Aleut communities resided.
Russian Exploration and "Alaska"
Russian explorers and fur traders were the first Europeans to extensively explore and establish a presence in Alaska, beginning in the 18th century.
- Vitus Bering: In 1741, Vitus Bering's expedition made the first documented European contact with Alaska. Russian traders soon followed, exploiting the rich fur resources of the region.
- Adoption of the Aleut Term: The Russians quickly adopted the Aleut term, transliterating it into their own language as "Alyaska" (Аляска). Initially, this name was used to refer primarily to the Alaskan Peninsula. Over time, its usage expanded to denote the entire Russian colonial possession in North America. This vast territory was officially known as Russian America.
The American Purchase and Official Naming
The next pivotal moment in Alaska's naming history occurred with its purchase by the United States.
- Seward's Folly (1867): In 1867, the United States, under Secretary of State William Seward, purchased Russian America from the Russian Empire for $7.2 million. This acquisition was initially ridiculed by some as "Seward's Folly" or "Seward's Icebox."
- Official Designation: Following the purchase, the name "Alaska" was officially chosen to designate the newly acquired territory. It became the Department of Alaska, then the District of Alaska, the Territory of Alaska, and finally, in 1959, the State of Alaska. The choice of "Alaska" honored the historical connection to the Indigenous name and its adoption by the Russians, providing continuity for the region's identity.
Indigenous Names for Specific Regions
It's important to remember that while "Alaska" has an Aleut origin, the vast and diverse land was home to many other Indigenous groups, each with their own names for their specific territories and prominent features. For example:
- Yup'ik and Inupiaq: These groups had names for the vast tundra and coastal regions of western and northern Alaska.
- Athabascan: Various Athabascan-speaking groups had names for the interior river valleys and mountain ranges.
- Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian: These peoples of Southeast Alaska had their own rich linguistic traditions and names for their coastal homelands and islands.
These names often described the land's characteristics, resources, or spiritual significance, reflecting a deep connection to their environment long before any European designations were established.
The "original name" that directly evolved into our modern "Alaska" is "Alyeska" or "Alakshak," an Aleut word meaning "mainland" or "great land," adopted and spread by Russian explorers. This rich linguistic heritage, filtered through centuries of exploration and political transitions, ultimately led to the official naming of the 49th U.S. state. While the broader landmass was known by countless other Indigenous names to its various first peoples, the name "Alaska" itself stands as a testament to its deep roots in Native Alaskan culture.
Sources:
- Alaska Native Language Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Alaska Historical Society
- National Park Service
- "Alaska, A History of the 49th State" by Claus-M. Naske and Herman E. Slotnick
- Library of Congress, "Russian America"