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False

Lake Ontario isn't named after Canadian province

Lake Ontario is indeed named after the Canadian province of Ontario.

Environment History Last checked Sep 19, 2026

Key points

  • The name 'Ontario' means 'beautiful lake' in Iroquoian languages.
  • The lake was renamed to honor the British Province of Upper Canada, which later became Ontario.
  • The name change occurred during the early 19th century.

Explanation

Lake Ontario is named after the Canadian province of Ontario. The name 'Ontario' comes from the Iroquoian languages and means 'beautiful lake.' During the early 19th century, when British control over the region was established, the lake's name was officially changed to honor the new Province of Upper Canada, which later became the modern-day Canadian province of Ontario. This renaming reflects a historical connection between the geographical feature and the political entity.

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