The Potawatomi indian tribe called the marshes on which Chicago was built "Checagou," which translates to "wild onion" or "garlic" (also referred to as "skunk cabbage").

European explorers assigned the name to the Chicago River, followed by settlers' who used it as the name of the city.

Prior to Chicago's founding, the name of the river was spelled several ways, including "Chetagu" and "Shikago."

The most common explanation as to the origin of Chicago's nickname "The Windy City" is that the phrase was created by New York newspapers in the 1880s during a national debate over which city would host the 1893 World's Fair.

However, "Windy City" was used before this by the Cincinnati Enquirer at least as early as 1876.

Ironically, the citizens of Chicago turned the intended slight into a compliment of the city's new life and vitality following a quick recovery from the Great Chicago Fire.