List of Potawatomi ethnonyms

This is a list of various names the Potawatomi have been recorded.

1 Endonyms
- 1.1 Neshnabé
- 1.2 Bodéwadmi
2 Exonyms
3 See also
4 References

Endonyms

Neshnabé

Neshnabé (without syncope: Eneshenabé), a cognate of Ojibwe Anishinaabe, meaning “Original People.” The plural is Neshnabék.

Bodéwadmi

Bodéwadmi (without syncope: Bodéwademi), a cognate of Ojibwe “Boodewaadamii.” It means “those who keep/tend the hearth-fire,” which in this case refers to the hearth of the Council of Three Fires. The word itself comes from “to keep/tend the hearth-fire,” which is “bodewadm” (without syncope: “bodewadem”; Ojibwe “boodawaadam”). The plural is Bodéwadmik.

Oupouteouatamik – Jesuit Relations: 1658, 21, 1858.
Patawatimes – Treaty of Greenville (1795) quoted by Harris, Tour, 249, 1805.
Patawattamies – Turkey Creek treaty (1836) in U. S. Ind. Treaties, 648,1837.
Patawattomies – Hunter, Captivity, 14, 1823.
Pattawatamies – Hamtranck (1790) in Am. St. Papers, Ind. Aff., I, 87, 1832.
Patawatima – Treaty of Fort Harmar (1789), ibid., 6.
Pattawatimees – Jones, Ojebway Inds., 238, 1861.
Pattawatimy – De Butts (1795) in Am. St. Papers, Ind. Aff., I, 565, 1832.
Pattawatomie – Washington treaty (1868) in U. S. Ind. Treat., 691, 1873.
Pattattamees – Wilkinson (1791) quoted by Rupp, W. Penn., app., 236, 1846.
Pattawattomies – Hunter, Narr., 192, 1823.
Pattawattomis – Heckewelder quoted by Barton, New Views, app., 3, 1798.
Pattiwatima – Knox (1789) in Am. St. Papers, Ind. Aff ., I, 8, 1832.
Pa-tu-átami – Gatschet, Kaw MS. vocab., B. A. E., 27, 1878 (Kansa form).
Pautawatimis – Doc. of 1712 quoted by Gale, Upper Miss., 61, 1867.
Pautawattamies – Conf. of 1766 in N. Y Doc. Col. Hist., VII, 854, 1856.
Pauteauamis – Chauvignerie (1736) quoted by Schoolcraft, Ind. Tribes, III, 556, 1853.
Pedadumies – Schoolcraft, ibid., V, 196, 1855.
Peoutewatamie – Ft Harmar treaty (1789) in U. S. Ind. Treat., 27, 1837.
Po-da-wand-um-ee – Schoolcraft, Ind. Tribes, II, 139, 1852.
Po-da-waud-umeeg – Warren (1852) in Minn. Hist. Soc. Coll., V, 32, 1885.
Ponkeontamis – Morse, N., Am., 256, 1776 (misprint).
Ponteatamies – Gage (1764) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., VII, 656, 1856.
Ponteòtamies – Bouquet (1764) quoted by Jefferson, Notes, 143, 1825.
Pontewatamis – Lattré, map, 1784.
Pontowattimies – Carver, Trav., 19, 1778.
Poodawahduhme – Jones, Ojebway Inds., 180, 1861.
Potavalamia – Tonti, Rel.de la Le., 100, 1720.
Potawahduhmee – Jones, Ojebway Inds., 178, 1861.
Potawatama – Perkins and Peck,, Annals of the West, 295, 1850.
Potawatamies – Ind. Aff. Rep., 144, 1827.
Potawatamis – Johnson (1765) in N. Y . Doc. Col. Hist., VII, 711, 1856.
Potawatimie – Spring Wells treaty (1815) in U. S. Ind. Treat., 173, 1837.
Po²-ta⁴-w`a³-to¹/-me¹ – Long, Exped. St Peter's R., I, 91, 1824 (own name).
Potawatomis – Ibid., 81.
Potawattamies – Wilkinson (1791) quoted by Rupp, W. Penn., app., 236, 1846.
Potawattimie – Treaty of Tippecanoe (1836) in U. S. Ind. Treat.,. 709, 1873.
Potawattomies – Tanner, Narr., 245, 1830.
Potawatumies – Warren (1852) in Minn. Hist. Soc. Coll., V, 124, 1885.
Pŏ-tă-waw-tō/-mē – Dunn, True Indian Stories, 299, 1908 (given as Keating's pronunciation).
Pō-tă-wŏt-mē – Ibid. (given as a Potawatomi pronunciation).
Potawtumies – Lindesay (1749) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., VI, 538, 1855.
Poteotamis – Montcalm (1757), ibid., X, 553, 1858.
Potéoüatami – Jesuit Relations: for 1671, 25, 1858.
Poteouatamis – Vater, Mith., pt, 3, sec. 3, 351, 1816.
Potewatamies – Gallatin in Trans. Am. Ethnol., Soc., II, civ, 1846.
Potewatamik – Gatschet, Ojibwa MS., B. A. E., 1882 (Chippewa name).
Potiwattimeeg – Tanner, Narr., 315, 1830 (Ottawa name).
Potiwattomies – Ibid.
Potowatameh – Du Ponceau in Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., 2d S.,IX, XV, 1822.
Potowatamies – Croghan (1765) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., VII, 784, 1856.
Potowatomies – Trader (1778) quoted by Schoolcraft, Ind.Tribes, III, 561, 1853.
Potowotamies – Gallatin in Trans. Am. Antiq. Soc., II, 121, 1836.
Pottawatameh – Barton, New Views, xxxiiii, 1797.
Pottawatamie – Treaty of Chicago (1821) in U. S. Ind. Treat., 152, 1873.
Pottawataneys – Hopkins (1766) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., VII, 993, 1856.
Pottawatimies – Treaty (1806) in U S. Ind. Treat., 371, 1873.
Pottawatomies – De Smet, Letters, 26, 1843..
Pottawattamies – Brown, W. Gaz., 348, 1817.
Potta-wat-um-ies – Warren (1852) in Minn. Hist. Soc. Coll., V, 81, 1885.
Pottawaudumies – Ibid., 218.
Pottawotamies – Shea, Cath. Miss., 397, 1855.
Pottawottomies – Brownstown treaty (1809) in U. S. Ind. Treat., 194, 1873.
Pottewatemies – Hildreth, Pioneer Hist., 75, 1848.
Pottiwattamies – Harris, Tour, 195, 1805.
Pottowatamies – Rupp, W. Penn., 345, 1846.
Pottowatomy – Smith (1799) quoted by Drake, Trag. Wild., 221, 1841.
Pottowattomies – Flint, Ind. Wars, 89, 1833.
Pottowautomie – Council Bluffs treaty (1846) in U. S. Ind. Treat., 182, 1873.
Pottowotomees – Treaty (1836), ibid., 150, 1873.
Poulteattemis – Prise de Possession (1671) in Margry, Déc., I, 97, 1875.
Poulx teattemis – Prise de Possession (1671) in N. Y,. Doc. Col. Hist., IX, 803,1855.
Poutauatemis – Vaudreuil (1712) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., IX, 863, 1855.
Poutawatamies – Johnson (1772), ibid., VIII, 292, 1857.
Poutawottamies – Imlay, W. Ter., 372, 1793.
Pouteȣatamis – Doc. of 1695, ibid., 619.
Poüteaoüatami – Allouez (1677) quoted by Shea, Discov. Miss. Val., 71, 1852.
Pouteatami – Jesuit Relations: 1642, 97, 1858.
Pouteatimies – Lamberville (1682) in N.Y. Doc. Col. Hist., IX, 192, 1855.
Pouteauatamis – Doc. of 1748, ibid., X, 150, 1858.
Pouteotamis – Harris, Voy. and Trav., II, 919, 1705.
Pouteoüatami – Jesuit Relations: for 1667, 18, 1858.
Pouteouatamiouec – Jesuit Relations: for 1667, 18, 1858.
Pouteouatamis – Chauvignerie (1736) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., IX, 1058, 1855.
Pouteouatimi – Doc. of 1748, ibid., X, 171, 1858.
Pouteouetamites – Gallinèe (1661) in Margry, Déc., I, 144,1875.
Pouteouitamis – La Galissonière (1748) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., X, 182, 1858.
Pouteouotamis – Coxe, Carolana, 19, 1741.
Poutewatamies – Doc. of 1746 in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., X, 34, 1858.
Poutoualamis – Tonti, Rel. De la Le., 100, 1720.
Poutoüamis – Writer of 1756 in N.Y. Doc. Col. Hist., X, 401, 1858.
Poutouatamis – Du Chesneau (1681) IX, 161, 1855.
Poutouatamittes – Gallinèe (1669) in Margry, Déc., I, 142, 1875.
Poutouotamis – Coxe, Carolana, map, 1741.
Poutouwatamis – Le Sueur (1700) quoted by Neill, Minn., 156, 1858.
Poutowatomies – Pike, Trav., 18, note, 1811.
Poutuatamis – Le Sueur (1700) quoted by Shea, Early Voy., 94, 1861.
Poutwatamis – Duquesne (1754) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., X, 263, 1858.
Pouutouatami – Jesuit Relations: 1640, 35, 1858.
Powtawatamis – Trader of 1766 quoted by Schoolcraft, Ind. Tribes, III, 556, 1856.
Powtewatamis – Jefferys, Fr. Doms., pt. 1, 144, 1761.
Powtewattimies – Council of 1786 in Am. St. Papers, Ind. Aff., I, 8, 1832.
Powtowottamies – Carver, Trav., 349, 1778.
Puotwatemi – York (1700) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., IV, 749, 1854.
Putavatimes – Croghan (1759) quoted by Rupp, W. Penn., app., 138, 1846.
Putawatame – Ft Wayne treaty (1810) in U. S. Ind. Tread., 374, 1873.
Putawatimes – Croghan (1759) quoted by Proud, Penn., II, 296, 1798.
Putawatimies – Treaty of 1806 in U. S. Ind. Treat., 373, 1873.
Putawatimis – Treaty of 1806 in U. S. Ind. Treat., 373, 1873.
Putawatomie – Brown, W. Gaz., 45, 1817.
Putawawtawmaws – Dalton (1783) in Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., 1st S., X, 123, 1809.
Pú-te-wa-ta – Riggs, Dak. Gram. and Dict., 184, 1852 (Sioux form).
Pú-te-wa-ta-dan – Ibid. (Santee form).
Putewatimes – Croghan (1759) quoted by Rupp, W. Penn., app., 132, 1846.
Putowatomey's – Croghan (1760) in Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., 4th s., IX, 289, 1871.
Puttawattimies – Grouseland treaty (1803) in U. S. Ind. Treat., 370, 1873.
Puttcotungs – Beatty, Jour., 63, 1798 (misprint).
Puttewatamies – Croghan (1765) in N.Y. Doc. Col. Hist., VII, 781, 1856.
Puttowatamies – Bouquet (1760) in Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., 4th S., IX, 295, 1871:
Puttwatimees – Croghan (1760), ibid., 262.

Exonyms

Fire Nation

This is a loose translation of Bodéwadmi.

Fire Nation – Schoolcraft, ibid., 206.
Gens de Feu – Champlain (1616) Oeuvres, IV, 58, 1870; Sagard, Grande Voyage, I, 53, 1865.
Gens feu – Sagard, Hist. Can., I, 194, 1836 (misprint).
Nation du Feu – Jesuit Relations: 1641, 72, 1858.
Nation of Fire – Jefferys, French Doms., pt. I, 48, 1761.

Lice Nation

This is a shortening of Bodéwadmi, which happens to be a homophone to the French word for “lice” (poux).

Poes – Long, Voy. and Trav., 144. 1791.
Pō-tŏsh – Dunn, True Indian Stories, 299, 1908 (Miami nickname).
Pouës – Cadillac (1695) in Margry, Déc., V, 120, 1883 (abbreviated form used by French).
Poulx – Montreal conf. (1756) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., X, 447, 1858.
Pous – Dunn, True Ind. Stories, 299, 1908 ('lice': French name, of accidental meaning; see Poux, Pouz).
Poux – Frontenac (1682) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., IX, 182, 1855.
Pouz – Doc. Of 1748, ibid., X, 142, 1858.

Hybridized name

These name come from hybridization of Bodéwadmi with the French poux.

Poueatamis – Boisherbert (1747) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., X, 84, 1858.
Pouhatamies – Boudinot, Star in the West, 128, 1816.
Poutéamis – Lamberville (1682) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist., IX, 798, 1855.

Iroquoian names

Adawadenys – Canajoharie conf. (1759) in N. Y. Doc. Col. Hist. VII, 884, 1856 (probably an Iroquois corruption).
Asistagueronon – Champlain (1616), Œuvres, V, pt. 1, 275, 1870.
Asistagueroüon – Ibid. (1616), IV, 58, 1870.
Assestagueronons – Schoolcraft. Ind. Tribes, IV, 206, 1854.
Assistaeronons – Jesuit Relations: 1670-71, as quoted by Schoolcraft, ibid., 244.
Assistagueronon – Sagard (1636), Hist. Can., I, 194,1864; Champlain (1632), Oeuvres, V, map, 1870.
Assistaqueronons – Champlain, (ca. 1630), as quoted by Schoolcraft, Ind. Tribes, IV, 244, 1854.
Athistaëronnon – Jesuit Relations: 1646, 77, 1858.
Atowateany – Post (1758) quoted by Proud, Penn., II, app., 113, 1798.
Atsistaehronons – Jesuit Relations: 1641, 72, 1858.
Atsistahereoron – Champlain, Œuvres, IV, 58, note, 1870.
Atsistarhonon – Sagard (1632), Hist. Can., Huron Dict., 1866 (Huron name).
Attisitaehronon – Jesuit Relations: 1640, 35, 1858.
Attistae – Schoolcraft, Ind. Tribes, IV, 244, 1854 (misquoted from Jesuit Relations: 1640, 35, 1855).
Attistaeronons – Jesuit Relations: 1640 quoted by Schoolcraft, Ind. Tribes, IV, 244, 1854.
Ndatonȣatendi – Potier, Racines Huron, MS., 1751 (Huron name); in Swanton
Ndatonsatendi (?) – Potier, Racines Huron, MS., 1751 (Huron name); in Hodge
Ondatouataudy – Jesuit Relations: 1648, 62, 1858.
Undatomátendi – Gatschet, Wyandot MS., B. A. E., 1881 (Wyandot name).

Other names

Kúnu-hayánu – Gatschet, Caddo MS., B. A. E., 1884 ('watermelon people,' from kúnu , 'watermelon': Caddo name).
Kúnu-háyanu, Caddo name, meaning "watermelon people"; in Swanton
Peki /neni – Gatschet, Fox MS. vocab., B. A. E., 1882 (Fox name; plural Pekineni´/hak, 'grouse people,' from peki, 'grouse').
Tcåshtålálgi – Creek name, meaning "watermelon people"; in Swanton
Tchĕshtalálgi – Gatschet, Koassati MS., B. A. E.,1885 ('watermelon people,' from Creek tchĕstali, 'watermelons': Koassati name adopted from the Creeks).
Wa³-h`o¹-na²-ha² – Long, Exped. St Peter's R., I, 92, 1824 ('fire-makers': Miami name).
Wah-hō'-na-hah – Dunn, True Ind. Stories 299, 1908 (Miami name)., supposedly meaning “fire makers.”
Wáhiú¢axá – Omaha name, in Swanton.
Wáhiú¢aqá – Dorsey in Cont. N. A. Ethnol., VI, pt. 2, 664; 1890 (Omaha name).
Wáhiúyaha – Dorsey, Kansas MS.vocab., B.A. E., 1882 (Kansa name).
Wapoos – La Salle (1680) quoted by Parkman, La Salle, 180, 1883 (identical?).
Wo-rá-qĕ – St Cyr, inf'n, 1886 (Winnebago name).
Woraqa – Dorsey, Tciwere MS., vocab., B. A. E., 1879 (Iowa, Oto, and Missouri name).
Woraxa – Iowa, Oto, and Missouri name, in Swanton.
Woráxe – Winnebago name, in Swanton

References

Hodge, Frederick Webb, ed. “Potawatomi” Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico. (Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin 30. GPO: 1910.)
Kubiak, William J.; Great Lakes Indians; A Pictorial Guide; Baker Book House Company, 1970
Swanton, John R. “Michigan” The Indian Tribes of North America. (Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin 145. GPO: 1935.)