Neenah - Waupakun?

Menasha was originally referred to as "Waupakun" until about 1848.  P.V. Lawson, in his 1908 history of Winnebago County, reveals this fact in telling the story of Menasha's first doctor, Dr. Thomas Jefferson Noyes:

 

According to Mr. Lawson's history, the city was eventually named "Menasha" by either Governor Doty's wife or simply derived from a Winnebago Indian term:

 

Regardless of the exotic explanation invoking the Sioux, I have seen "Menasha" referred to in other references as an Indian word for "island," "water," or "settlement on the island." Take your pick. 

 

The evolution of Puants Rapids to Winnebago Rapids to Waupakun to Menasha seems a stretch even though most places begin with different names.  In the 1840s, the Fox River was referred to as the Neenah River and Oshkosh was known in the 1830s as Algoma and later, as Athens.  In 1840, by popular vote, Athens became Oshkosh.  Speculation abounds regarding the rationale in naming that city after a local Indian chief, but that's a story for another time and another blog.