Why is Iowa's capital called Des Moines?

Answer 1

Fron the Des Moines River which was named by the French as River of the Monks.

Answer 2

It is named for the Des Moines River, which comes from the French name for the river as River of the Monks.

Answer 3

Because the territorial capital, which became the first state capital, was in Iowa City, way off on the east side of the state. Iowa City was out on the western frontier when it was founded, but by the time the state boundary was finalized, it was nowhere near the center of the state, so they moved the capital.