Idaho's Shoshone Origin Appears Fabricated

In the early 1860s, promoters presented "Idaho" to Congress as a Shoshone word meaning "gem of the mountains" while lawmakers considered creating a new territory around Pikes Peak. By January 1861, Congress had learned that its supposed Native American origin was probably fabricated and chose the name Colorado instead. The name survived through Idaho Springs, a Columbia River steamship, and Idaho County before Congress created Idaho Territory in 1863. More than a decade later, politician George M. Willing claimed he had coined "Idaho" after a little girl named Ida while posing as an elected congressional delegate.

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