Today, we take it for granted that the US states are named what they are. But this interesting story highlights just how different eight of them could have been if history had taken a slightly different turn when it came to deciding what to call these areas!

For example, when Nevada became a state in 1864, Humboldt was seriously considered as a name — but ultimately, the government chose Nevada, the Spanish word for “snow-covered,” instead (bet you never knew that was what Nevada meant!). 

The Humboldt name found its way across the region because of the exploits of an explorer and naturalist named Alexander von Humboldt. However, the man never actually set foot in the western U.S.!

Other states that could have been different on our maps today include Utah, Maine, Kentucky, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Wyoming,  and Colorado! But you'll have to click over to the article to get the back stories on those states!