The origin of the word
Algoma is not entirely clear; the following are definitions culled from several different sources • The word
Algoma was invented as a
placename by
Henry Schoolcraft.
Goma comes from the
Algonquian suffix for "lake", while Schoolcraft took the
al- prefix from the word
Algonquian.
Henry Schoolcraft's original text, supports the idea that he invented this word: • Another definition for the word states that Algoma actually comes from (; ) for "
snow shoe". • Yet another definition from the
Algoma, Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce claims that
Algoma is an Indian word meaning "park of flowers". Several web sites that provide meanings for the names of children and pets state that
Algoma means "valley of flowers". • The history of the town of Algoma,
Mississippi contains a reference to
Algoma as a
Chickasaw word meaning "God abides" given as the name to the Algoma community by a
Presbyterian preacher named Savage. == Variations ==