The origin of the name Oregon is not certain. One theory has it that the name comes from the French Canadian word "ouragan" meaning "storm" or "hurricane." It's thought that the Columbia River was at one time called "the river of storms" by Canadian fur traders plying their trade in the area.

A third idea suggests that the name of this state comes from the Spanish word "orégano" for the wild sage which grows so vigorously in eastern Oregon.