The name of this state came from the Minnesota River which was so named by the Dakota Sioux word "mnishota" translated as "cloudy" or "milky water."

Minnesota's official flag was adopted in 1893 with a pale blue background. and the seal centered to the flag. The seal depicts a farmer plowing a field and an Indian riding a horse across a grassy plain. The scene is surrounded by Minnesota's state flower, ladyslippers.

At the top of the seal is the year 1858 which is the year Minnesota was admitted into the union. A red banner with yellow letters has the state motto, "L'ETOILE DU NORD," meaning "the star of the north" in French is found across the top of the seal. The years 1819 and 1893 are both found on the same red banner. 1819 was the year Fort Snelling was established; and 1893 was the year this flag was adopted. Nineteen yellow stars surround the seal and symbolize Minnesota's admission as the 19th state in the union.