Name
The name Miami derives from the tribe's autonym (name for themselves) in their Algonquian language, Miami-Illinois, Myaamia (plural Myaamiaki); this appears to have come from an older term meaning "downstream people." Some scholars contended the Miami called themselves the Twightwee (also spelled Twatwa), supposedly an onomatopoeic reference to their sacred bird, the sandhill crane. Recent studies have shown that Twightwee derives from the Delaware language exonym for the Miamis, tuwéhtuwe, a name of unknown etymology. Some Miamis have stated that this was only a name used by other tribes for the Miamis, and not the autonym which the Miamis used for themselves. Another common term was Mihtohseeniaki (the people). The Miami continue to use this autonym today.
| Name | Source | Name | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maiama | Maumee | later French | ||
| Meames | Memilounique | French | ||
| Metouseceprinioueks | Myamicks | |||
| Naked Indians | Nation de la Grue | French | ||
| Omameeg | Omaumeg | Chippewa | ||
| Oumami | Oumamik | 1st French | ||
| Piankashaw | Quikties | |||
| Tawatawas | Titwa | |||
| Tuihtuihronoons | Twechtweys | |||
| Twightwees | Delaware | Wea | band |
Read more about this topic: Miami People
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