How Wasilla, Alaska, Got Its Name

Two theories:

1. The town is named after Dena'ina Athabascan Indian Chief Wasilla. The meaning of the word “Wasilla” itself isn't certain; it may mean "breath of air" in the Dena'ina Athabascan language.

2. An alternative theory: It’s a variant of "Wassily," the Russian form of “William.” (Alaska was part of the Russian Empire until 1867, when the United States government purchased it for 2 cents per acre. The transaction was derided as "Seward's Folly," after the U.S. Secretary of State who negotiated the deal.)

Other facts about the little town on the tundra, home to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and the First Dude, at the official Wasilla website.

Comments

[Mr. Wuxtry]

A third theory: Wasilla is "all I saw" spelled backwards. Supply your own backstory, e.g., a lost motorist remarks to a roadside Inuit, "I thought there was supposed to be a town back there, but a bar and a gas station was All I Saw." The Inuit writes "All I Saw" with his forefinger in the dust on the motorist's rear window. The driver sees it in his rear-view mirror as he drives off and voila, a town is named.

[Nancy Friedman]

@Mr. Wuxtry: Yours is the best explanation I've seen.

[Clarence]

cool information about chief wasilla!