The exact meaning is uncertain, but there are two main interpretations:
1. "Place of the little river" or "Place of the small creek": This interpretation comes from the Caddo words "waha" (meaning "small" or "little") and "hachi" (meaning "river" or "creek").
2. "Place of the red earth": This interpretation suggests that "waha" refers to the reddish color of the soil in the area and "hachi" still refers to the river or creek.
It's important to note that neither interpretation is definitively confirmed. Both interpretations are based on linguistic analysis and historical context, but there is no official documentation from the Caddo people themselves to confirm the meaning.
Regardless of the precise translation, the name "Waxahachie" reflects the deep connection between the Caddo people and the land they inhabited.