Indigenous
Wichita
Kansas (KS)est. 1870pop. 397,532/WICH-ih-taw/
The meaning
“Disputed: 'big arbor' or 'painted faces'”
How it got the name
The Wichita call themselves Kitikiti'sh. 'Wichita' is a name applied by others, often explained as 'big arbor' for their distinctive grass lodges, or as a reference to tattooed faces. The city grew at a Chisholm Trail cattle crossing where the Wichita had built a village during the Civil War.
Disputed / alternate theory
Some Choctaw-derived readings render it 'big arbor,' others 'painted faces' from the tribe's facial tattooing.