The name Arizona derives from the Papago Indian word arizonac, meaning "little spring place." Alternative suggestion is from the Spanish "arida zona" for dry land the Aztec word arizuma, meaning "silver bearing."

In the legends of native North Americans, the thunderbird is a powerful spirit in the form of a bird. Through the work of this bird, it is said, the Earth is watered and vegetation grows. Lightning is believed to flash from its beak, and the beating of its wings is thought to result in the rolling of thunder.