11 everyday words with indigenous roots

Published on November 15, 2025

Image: Zoshua Colah

English is a very welcoming language in the sense that it incorporates terms from many other languages from all over the world. And, as it couldn’t be otherwise, Native American languages have lent many of their words and terms to English speakers. Some traveled through Spanish or French before settling into English, and others arrived directly through early contact and trade, helping shape the way we speak today. Did you know about these 11 terms?

1 – CANOE

Image: Michael Niessl

The word “canoe” comes from the Taino term canoa, which was first used by Caribbean islanders long before Europeans arrived. Early explorers adopted it to describe the slim, sturdy boats they saw.

Over time, “canoe” became the standard English word for a small paddled craft. Today it still carries that sense of simplicity and closeness to nature.

CANOE-The word “canoe” comes from the Taino term canoa, which was first used by Caribbean islanders long before Europeans arrived. Early explorers adopted it to describe the slim, sturdy boats they saw.
BARBECUE – comes from barbacoa, another Taino term for a wooden frame used for cooking meat over fire.
SKUNK – “Skunk” comes from the Algonquian word squnk, which means “urinating fox” (quite a fitting term, indeed).
MOOSE – Eastern Abenaki, a part of the Algonquian family, where it meant “he strips off bark;
RACOON – “Raccoon” comes from the Powhatan word arakun, meaning “he scratches with his hands.” (front paws);
CHIPMUNK – comes from the Ojibwe word ajidamoo, which means “one who descends trees headfirst.”
CARIBOO – comes from the Mi’kmaq term qalipu, which means “snow shoveler,”
TOTEM – “Totem” comes from the Ojibwe word ototeman, which means “kinship group.” It described symbols representing clans and shared roots.
COYOTE – “Coyote” comes from the Nahuatl word coyōtl, which was used by Indigenous tribes of central Mexico. Spanish speakers adopted it, and English borrowed later.
AVOCADO – traces to the Nahuatl word ahacatl, which refers to the fruit and to a body part as well.
CHOCOLATE – The last Nahuatl word and also the last word on the list comes from the term xocolātl, which describes a bitter cacao drink that was consumed long before Europeans arrived in America. The name traveled from Spanish to English.