Arizona
- Name of a state derived from "Arizonac," a former Papago rancheria
or small village in Sonora, Mexico, just below the boundary line at the
present city of Nogales. Arizonac meant "Small Springs" in Papago.
In 1836-1841 there was a rush of treasure seekers to the Southwest when
balls of silver of enormous size were found. The territory was called
Arizona and when new Mexico was divided from it, the name was retained
for the remaining portion.