French
Detroit
Michigan (MI)est. 1701pop. 633,218/dih-TROYT/
The meaning
“The strait”
How it got the name
Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac built Fort Pontchartrain du Detroit in 1701 on le detroit — literally 'the strait,' the narrows of the river. French speakers called the whole region simply 'the strait,' and the descriptor outlived the fort's ceremonial name entirely.
Former names
- Fort Pontchartrain du Detroit
- Waawiiyaataanong (Anishinaabe)
- Detroit