Fort Sumter was named after General Thomas Sumter.

Fort Sumter is named in honor of General Thomas Sumter, a notable leader in the American Revolutionary War and a significant military figure from South Carolina. Renowned for his guerrilla warfare strategies against British troops, Sumter was affectionately dubbed "The Gamecock" due to his fierce determination in combat. The fort was built in the early 19th century to protect the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, and was completed in 1859. Its name reflects both local pride and the fort's crucial role in American history. General Sumter's legacy remains influential, particularly during the Civil War when Fort Sumter emerged as a powerful symbol of conflict.