Where Did Maine Get Its Name?
Many times we say things or identify certain names without giving any thought to its origin. I don't know about you, but do you have any idea where Maine got its name?
The name Maine first appeared in writing in 1622, according to Maine.gov. That was a really long time ago. Almost 400 years ago, to be exact!
However, no one is really sure how Maine officially got its name or who or what it was named after. But there are some theories about the name.
Some believe that the name 'Maine' was referenced after the French province of the same name, but many believe that the name has a nautical connotation.
It's believed that sailors nicknamed the state Maine as a way to differentiate the mainland from the various islands off her coast.
Eventually, Mainland became shortened to 'the main' or 'Main Land', 'Meyne', or 'Mainland'.
What we do know is that the state of Maine was a part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts until 1820.
On March 15th of the same year, under the Missouri Compromise, Maine became the 23rd state in the Union.