How did Oregon get its name? These are the likely origins

Across a legacy of Indigenous habitation since time immemorial, frontier expansion and modern society, Oregon’s natural beauty, fertile soils and abundant resources have hallmarked the state. But where did the name “Oregon” come from? Who established Oregon’s title and where did it originate? 

Please Note: Assistant Professor David G. Lewis, PhD consulted on the film The Wolf Will Tear your immaculate hands (May 2026 release) and was the Indigenous advisor while David Robertson was the Chinook specialist. Dr. Lewis also coauthored an article in 2001 about the origin of the name Oregon titled Ourigan Wealth of the Northwest Coast.