Cheyenne, the capital city of Wyoming, derives its name directly from the Cheyenne Indian tribe, a prominent indigenous group that historically roamed the plains of the area.
The town site itself was first surveyed by General Grenville Dodge, a key figure in the development of the Union Pacific Railroad. When the city was established in 1867, it was named to honor the native inhabitants of the region.
The Cheyenne people, known for their rich cultural heritage and skilled horsemanship, were part of the larger Algonquian family of tribes, which represented one of the largest and most widespread groups of Indigenous peoples on the North American continent. Historically, the Cheyenne tribe referred to themselves by a name that has been recorded as 'Shey' an' nah', which reflects their ancestral identity.
This naming choice reflects a common practice during the westward expansion of the United States, where newly established settlements often adopted names from local Native American tribes or natural features.
For more information on the city's origins, you can explore the History of Cheyenne.
