Compiled by C. A. Buser
Without a doubt one of the reasons no really good history of the Wyandot Indians has ever been written is the astonishing and baffling array of names given to this influential tribe of Native Americans. Many of the names listed are but variations in spelling but researchers must be prepared to sort them out and to understand the significance of each as it relates to a particular period in history or to a geographical location in Canada or in the United States. Even this list does not include every name but it covers almost all that one is likely to find in the course of preparing a standard seminar paper.
1. Ahouandate
2. Ahwándate
3. Atti8endaronk
4. Bons Irocois
5. Chanundidie
6. Charioquois
7. Chenondadey
8. Chenundady
9. Cheundadey
10. Delamattenos
11. Delamattonos
12. Dellamattanoes
13. Dellamattenos
14. Delmattenos
15. Dionnondady
16. Dionondadie
17. Ekeenteeronnon
18. Etionnontarehronnons
19. Etionnontout
20. Euyrons
21. Garennajenhaga
22. Guyandot
23. Guyandotte
24. Gyandotte
25. Hah8endagerha
26. Harones
27. Hatindia8ointen
28. Hiroons
29. Houndates
30. Hounondates
31. Hourons
32. Hurones
33. Hurons
34. Hurons de la nation du petun
35. Hurronnes
36. lonontady Hagas
37. Janondides
38. Junundat
39. Khionontatehronons
40. Lamatan
41. Little Mingoes
42. Mechon
43. Nadowa
44. Necariages
45. Ochastequin
46. Ochatagin
47. Ochataiguin
48. Ochatequin
49. Ouaouackecinatouek
50. Ouendat
51. Owandat
52. Owendaets
53. Owendats
54. Owendots
55. Pemedeniek
56. Pétun
57. Pétuneaux
58. Quatoges
59. Quatoghees
60. Ouatoghies
61. Quatoghies of Loretto
62. Quieuenontatironons
63. Sastaghretsy
64. Sastharhetsi
65. Talamatan
66. Talamatun
67. Telamateno
68. Telematinos
69. Thăstchetci
70. Tionnontateheronnes
71. Tionnontati
72. Tionondadey
73. Tionondati
74. Tobacco
75. Tobacs
76. Tsyenundady
77. Tynondady
78. Viandots
79. Wanats
80. Wandats
81. Wandots
82. Wantats
83. Wayandotts
84. Wayondots
85. Wayondotts
86. Wayundatts
87. Weandots
88. Wendat
89. Weyandotts
90. Weyondotts
91. Wiandotts
92. Wiandots
93. Wiyandotts
94. Wyandot
95. Wyandote
96. Wyandott
97. Wyandotte
98. Wyondats
99. Wyondotts
100. Yendat
101. 8endat (perhaps the most widely accepted version in the old days)
The early French missionaries and traders had particular difficulty with the initial sound. The nearest they could agree on was the beginning of the French number eight (8), i.e., “huit”, hence “8endat”.
Many of the names are closely related at first glance. Many others are related upon closer inspection. For example, Tionnontati, Dionondadie, Chenundady, Junundat and lonontady are all versions of the same name.
Wyandotte is the spelling used by the tribe in Oklahoma. That spelling reflects some of the French influence. In Ohio, the spelling was usually Wyandot. In Michigan, both spellings were used.
Canadian descendants of almost the same racial stock accepted “Huron” and Hurons at Lorette, near Quebec City, still go by that name.
The Wyandots in the United States are believed to be descended from the Tionontati people rather than from the Huron people ministered to by Jean de Brebeuf and others.