Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. Check marks indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Type Body of Water
Usage Sioux
Pronounced Pron. O-kə-bo-jee, O-ko-boo-zhee  [key]

Meaning & History

Legend tells the lake was named for Chief Okoboji; meaning either ‘place of rest’ or ‘reeds or rushes,’-preferred.
Dacotah Indians called East Okoboji Lake “Okoboozhy” and West Okoboji was assigned the name “Minnetonka,” signifying big water.
Confusion remains over origin of the word Okoboji. Professor T.H. Macbride said “place of rest.” Others believe the word means “and there are others” from the Dacotah Indian translation.
Added 6/9/2020 by amanh
Edited 12/21/2022 by Mike C