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Chitto

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Chitto Pronunciation

Chitto is pronounced CHIT-oh

Meaning: snake; also 'big' or 'great'

In 30 seconds: Mvskoke (Creek) name element meaning snake — and by extension great or powerful — borne most famously by Chitto Harjo (Crazy Snake), the traditional leader who fought to honor the Treaty of 1832.

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Origin Creek, Native American

Meaningsnake; also 'big' or 'great'

History & Origin

Chitto is a Mvskoke (Creek/Muscogee) word meaning snake, appearing as a personal name element across Creek history. It is related to cetto, the base noun for snake in the Loughridge Muskokee Dictionary, and may carry a secondary sense of great or big in some compounds. The most documented bearer is Chitto Harjo (also known as Crazy Snake, c. 1846–1911), a traditional Muscogee leader who organized resistance to the Dawes Act and federal dissolution of tribal governments. His full name translates as Crazy Snake — snake combined with harjo (recklessly brave). He established an alternative Muscogee government and Lighthorse police force and led the Crazy Snake Rebellion of 1909. He died in McCurtain County around 1911 and remains a significant figure in Muscogee history.

Did you know? Chitto Harjo's full name means Crazy Snake — chitto (snake) combined with harjo (recklessly brave) — and he organized a shadow Muscogee government in 1901 demanding the federal government honor Creek land treaties.

Harjo, Chitto — Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (Oklahoma Historical Society) — Authoritative state government source documenting Chitto Harjo's life and resistance movementChitto Harjo — Wikipedia — Documents name meaning, the Crazy Snake Rebellion of 1909, and death c. 1911

If you like Chitto…

Cetto— Closely related Mvskoke word for snake — the base noun form in the historical Creek dictionary

Harjo— The second element of Chitto Harjo's name, meaning recklessly brave in Mvskoke

Nokos— Mvskoke word for bear — another animal-rooted Creek name from the same tradition

Osceola— Famous Creek-Seminole leader whose name also derives from a Mvskoke ceremonial term

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Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Chitto?

Chitto is pronounced CHIT-oh. Press play above to hear Chitto said aloud.

How do you say Chitto?

Chitto is said CHIT-oh. Press play above to hear Chitto said aloud.

What does Chitto mean?

Chitto is a Mvskoke (Creek) word meaning snake, and in some uses carries the sense of great or powerful. It appears as a personal name element, most famously in Chitto Harjo (Crazy Snake).

Who was Chitto Harjo?

Chitto Harjo (Crazy Snake, c. 1846–1911) was a Muscogee Creek leader who organized resistance to the Dawes Act. His name means Crazy Snake — chitto (snake) + harjo (recklessly brave). He established a rival Muscogee government and led the 1909 Crazy Snake Rebellion.

What is the difference between Chitto and Cetto?

Both are Mvskoke words for snake from the same root. Cetto is the base noun form in the historical dictionary; chitto is the variant that appears most often in personal names and may carry a sense of greatness.