Alaska is a melting pot of wonderful languages. In fact, there are 20 distinct Alaska Native languages spoken inside two main language groups. These amazing languages have contributed to unique Alaskan words that you won’t find anywhere else in the country! These beautiful words carry the weight, history, and uniqueness of our awesome state. Those words and phrases, combined with words used in colder, arctic climates, round out our unique and interesting day-to-day speech.
- Nenana (neh-nan-uh)
Matheus Hobold Sovernigo / 500px via 500px Collection / Getty Images The small town of Nenana, population of less than 400, resides right on the banks of the Nenana River. This area is in the westernmost portion of Tanana territory. The Tanana are among the large Dené language family, also known as Athabascan. The name “Nenana” comes from the Athabascan word “neenano", meaning the “stopping-while-migrating stream.”
- Eklutna (ee-kloot-nuh)
Sunny Awazuhara- Reed / Design Pics / Getty Images Many Alaskans have visited Eklutna Lake. This stunning turquoise body of water is fed by Eklutna Glacier. This Dena’ina Athabascan village of Eklutna was established over 800 years ago. It’s actually the oldest known settlement in the Anchorage area. The name of “Eklutna” derives from Idluytnu, the Dena’ina name for Eklutna River, meaning “(plural) objects river,” referring to two nearby hills.
- Williwaw (wil-li-waw)
Emma Piattelli / EyeEm via EyeEm Collection / Getty Images A williwaw is a sudden, violent squall, usually blowing offshore from a mountainous coastline. This describes most of Alaska’s oceanfront, and we see our fair share of williwaws in the state.
- Chinook (shuh-nuk)
Dagny Willis via Moment Collection / Getty Images On the other side of the equation is a chinook. In Alaska, a chinook is a warm, dry wind that blows, usually at the end of winter. In fact, when the wind kicks up in early spring, most Alaskans know that warmer weather and “break up” is on its way!
- Denali (duh-naa-lee)
andyKRAKOVSKI via E+ Collection / Getty Images Denali is the tallest mountain in all of North America. In Athabascan, it means “the high one,” and this is an apt descriptor of this stunning, imposing mountain. The name “Denali” stems from the word “deenaalee.” This word originates in the Koyukon language, traditionally spoken on the north side of the mountain.
- Utqiaġvik (UUT-kee-AH-vik)
Kevin Smith / Design Pics / Getty Images This area has been home to the Iñupiat for more than 1,500 years. The city’s Iñupiaq name actually refers to a place for gathering wild roots, and is a derivative of the word “potato.” The town’s original name was in use until 1901, when non-Native Alaskans found Barrow of nearby “Point Barrow” easier to pronounce, and it made its way onto the local Post Office. In 2016, the town voted to change its name to Utqiaġvik.
- Cheechako (chee-cha-ko)
Michael DeYoung / Getty Images A cheechako is someone new to Alaska or the Yukon, and usually refers to a newcomer who hasn’t yet spent the winter in our great state.
Have you heard these unique Alaskan words? Which one is your favorite? Are there any that you love that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
Matheus Hobold Sovernigo / 500px via 500px Collection / Getty Images
The small town of Nenana, population of less than 400, resides right on the banks of the Nenana River. This area is in the westernmost portion of Tanana territory. The Tanana are among the large Dené language family, also known as Athabascan. The name “Nenana” comes from the Athabascan word “neenano", meaning the “stopping-while-migrating stream.”
Sunny Awazuhara- Reed / Design Pics / Getty Images
Many Alaskans have visited Eklutna Lake. This stunning turquoise body of water is fed by Eklutna Glacier. This Dena’ina Athabascan village of Eklutna was established over 800 years ago. It’s actually the oldest known settlement in the Anchorage area. The name of “Eklutna” derives from Idluytnu, the Dena’ina name for Eklutna River, meaning “(plural) objects river,” referring to two nearby hills.
Emma Piattelli / EyeEm via EyeEm Collection / Getty Images
A williwaw is a sudden, violent squall, usually blowing offshore from a mountainous coastline. This describes most of Alaska’s oceanfront, and we see our fair share of williwaws in the state.
Dagny Willis via Moment Collection / Getty Images
On the other side of the equation is a chinook. In Alaska, a chinook is a warm, dry wind that blows, usually at the end of winter. In fact, when the wind kicks up in early spring, most Alaskans know that warmer weather and “break up” is on its way!
andyKRAKOVSKI via E+ Collection / Getty Images
Denali is the tallest mountain in all of North America. In Athabascan, it means “the high one,” and this is an apt descriptor of this stunning, imposing mountain. The name “Denali” stems from the word “deenaalee.” This word originates in the Koyukon language, traditionally spoken on the north side of the mountain.
Kevin Smith / Design Pics / Getty Images
This area has been home to the Iñupiat for more than 1,500 years. The city’s Iñupiaq name actually refers to a place for gathering wild roots, and is a derivative of the word “potato.” The town’s original name was in use until 1901, when non-Native Alaskans found Barrow of nearby “Point Barrow” easier to pronounce, and it made its way onto the local Post Office. In 2016, the town voted to change its name to Utqiaġvik.
Michael DeYoung / Getty Images
A cheechako is someone new to Alaska or the Yukon, and usually refers to a newcomer who hasn’t yet spent the winter in our great state.
Looking for more fun Alaskan phrases? Read all about these 13 Phrases That Will Make You Swear Alaskans Have Their Own Language.
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Address: Alaska, USA
