The specific language is called Miami-Illinois, spoken by many small tribes living in the area of the upper Mississippi river valley (Peoria, Piankashaw, Miami, Wea, Michigamea, Cahokia, Kaskaskia and many others).
In that language the word for "man" or "person" is alenia. Despite the similarity of this with Illini or Illinois, it is accepted that both illini and illiniwek are white European (French) versions or approximations that come from the term irenweewa or ilenweewa, meaning "he speaks the Illinois language" (effectively "he is one of us"). The plural of this would be irenweewaki ("they speak our language")
But the self-designation for these people was normally inoka.
So the answer is that illini and illiniwek mean absolutely nothing in any language, but they are corrupted forms of the words mentioned above. This is typical of most of the names mis-applied to native tribes by explorers unfamiliar with their languages.
"Illini" refers to the Native American tribes originally from the region that is now Illinois, particularly the Illinois Confederation. The term is often associated with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, whose athletic teams are called the Fighting Illini. Additionally, the name reflects the rich cultural heritage and history of the Illiniwek people.
The Illiniwek name for pumpkin is "nąk." This term reflects the language and culture of the Illiniwek people, a group of Native American tribes in the Midwest. Pumpkins were significant in their diet and agriculture, particularly in the context of the Three Sisters planting method.
Not that anybody is aware of. This is why the University of Illinois cannot have Chief Illiniwek as their mascot because no members of the Illini tribe remain to grant permission to the University to honor their tribe as their mascot. It is an ongoing process that some people find offensive for some reason, but every student-athlete at the University is demanding the chief be brought back to sporting events.
Indiana or Illinois, actually Illinois was named after the Illini tribe
The name "Illinois" comes from the Native American word "Illiniwek," which means "tribe of superior men." The Illiniwek were a group of Native American tribes that inhabited the region before European settlement. The name was adopted for the state of Illinois when it was admitted to the Union in 1818.
It is a word referring to the Illinois Confederation, which is comprised of Native American tribes around in 17th century Europe.
There is no Native American language...There are hundreds of native American languages.In the Paiute language: eye = booeeAnswerThere is no Native American language...There are hundreds of native American languages. In the Paiute language: eye = booeeAnswerThere is no Native American language...There are hundreds of native American languages. In the Paiute language: eye = booee
It gets its name from a native American legend were the potawatomi chased the illini tribe to the top of (starved rock) and forced them to stay and eventually all the illini starved to death.
one well known native American language is Cherokee
Alabama was named for an Indian tribe native to the state.Illinois was named for the Illiniwek, the tribal name of the Illini tribe.Iowa, Ayuhwa, which is one of the tribal names of the Ioway Indian tribe.Kansas, for the Kansa Indian tribe.Missouri, for the Missouria Indian tribe native to the state.North Dakota and South Dakota were named for the Dakota Sioux Indians.Utah, for the Ute, an Indian tribe native to the state.
one well known native American language is Cherokee
Ojibwa is a Native American language.