'Arizona' originates from O'odham, specifically the phrase 'alĭ ṣonak', where 'alĭ' meant 'small' and 'ṣonak' meant 'spring' (a source of water).

'Arizona' entered Spanish usage from the O'odham phrase 'alĭ ṣonak' and was adopted into Spanish and Mexican place-names before becoming the modern English name 'Arizona'.

Initially it referred to a local place name meaning 'small spring', but over time it evolved into the current usage as the name of a large region and U.S. state in the southwestern United States.