Can you name three US states whose spellings contain either the letters X or Z?

The letters X and Z are quite uncommon in the names of the fifty U.S. states, appearing in only three of them. These states, all located in the American Southwest, have names with rich linguistic histories rooted in Native American and Spanish languages, reflecting the cultural heritage of the region. Each name tells a story of exploration, settlement, and the blending of different cultures over centuries.

The name Texas has a friendly origin, derived from the Caddo Native American word "táysha," which means friends (Review) or "allies." Spanish explorers who encountered the Caddo people adopted this term, spelling it as "Tejas" or "Texas." New Mexico received its name, "Nuevo México," from Spanish explorers in the 16th century. They were hopeful of finding wealthy civilizations comparable to those of the Mexica, or Aztec, Empire in the Valley of Mexico.

Arizona's name has a more debated origin. One prominent theory suggests it comes from the O'odham phrase "alĭ ṣonak," meaning "small spring," a vital resource in the arid landscape. An alternative etymology traces the name to Basque settlers and the phrase "haritz ona," which translates to "the good oak." Regardless of its precise origin, the name, like the others, highlights the historical and cultural layers of the American Southwest.