The name "Mississippi" comes from the Ojibwe language and means "Father of Waters."

The term "Mississippi" comes from the Ojibwe language, where "Misi-ziibi" means "Father of Waters." This illustrates the river's vastness and significance to the native inhabitants who dwelt along its banks. For thousands of years, the Mississippi River—one of the longest in North America—has been an essential waterway, contributing significantly to Native American and later settlers' trade, culture, and environment.