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Village Meaning Chart
Village
What does their Name Mean?
Hagatna (Agana)
The village derives its name from the word "haga'".  "Haga'" means blood and that this village came about because of the bloodliness of families and relatives that helped establish this village.
Agana Heights
The village derives its name from two words "tutuhon luhan".  "Tutuhon luhan" means someone who starts to get scared because of impending doom or is terrified about something.
Agat
It is possible that "Hagat" is derive from the word "aga" which is the Marianas crow now listed on the endangered species list.  This bird species was flourishing in this area at one time. 
It is also possible that the village may also derive its name from the word "haga" which means the blood of the people.
Asan -Maina
Asan:  This village derives its name from the word  "hassan".  "Hassan" means scarce or rare. 
Maina:  The word "ma'ina" refers to the other village that makes up this district together with Assan.  Hunters hunted by the light of a torch and also saw what they caught by the light of the same torch. 
Another meaning of the word "ma'ina" deals with an infant who, between the time of his birth to his baptism, is taken by the mother to a church mass before sunrise and this  ritual is considered the presentation of the child to the temple or church.
Barrigada
This village derives its name from the word "barigada". 
"Barigada" means the flank of a person or beast such as deer, cow or goat.
Chalan Pago-Ordot
The word "chalan" makes up the first part of this village  name.  "Chalan" means road, street, and in olden days, paths or trails.
The word "pagu" makes up the second part of this village name.  "Pagu" is the wild hibiscus tree that grows in abundance in this area. 
The word "ordot" refers to the other village that makes up this district  The word "otdot" means "ants."
Dededo
The word Dedidu comes from a system of measurement using the fingers and that each finger signifies an inch.  So as one measures, "one inch, two inches, three inches" the name.  Dedidu derived from it with the measurement of two fingers indicating two inches. 
There is another word that possibly gives this village its name.  The word "dedeggo" which means a person who walks on tiptoes so as not to wake up those who are sleeping.
Inarajan
Inalahan.  This village derives its name from the word "halla".  "Halla" means to pull something or move something with a rope tied to it. 
Another word that may give meaning to this village's name is the word "ala".  This word refers to a kind of large woven coconut basket used for storage of fish or vegetables.
Mangilao
This village derives its name from the word "ilao".  "Ilao" means to look for something or to search for something and hunters or fishermen went to this area to search for crabs, deer, wild pigs, or to fish.
Merizo
Malesso.  The village derives its name from the word "lesso".  "Lesso" is the next growth size of the juvenile rabbit fish locally known as "manahakk" and these were caught at the mouth of the bay of that village.
MongMong-Toto-Maite
MongMong:  The first of three villages combined into one derives its name from the word "momongmong." 
"Momongmong" comes from the sound of the heartbeat but through word evolution came out to "mongmong."
To'to:  The second village derives its name from the word  "to'to". "To'to means to lie or recline on one's back. 
Maite:  The third village derives its name from the word "ma'ette".  "Ma'ette" means to nudge or touch another person usually accidentally with your hands or with some part of your body.
Piti
This vilage derives its name from the word "puti".  "Puti" means pain either through a sore, disease, illness, or through physical   or emotional pain.
Santa Rita
This village does not have an original name because it was established in 1945 when residents were moved from destroyed Sumai village. 
"Santa Rita" is the patron saint of abused wives and it's not clear who  decided upon this name nor for what reason the name was chosen when the vllage was established.
Sinajana
The village derives its name from the word "chinahan." 
"CHinahan" means the method of baking wild yams in the dirt.  The "-na" at the end of the word refers to the people who helped in the baking process.
Talofofo
The village derives its name from the saying "entalo' i fe'fo'".  "Entalo' i fe'fo'" means between the cliffs where this  place is situated at and surrounded by cliffs. 
It is possible that another word gave this village its endng  name.  The word "fo'fo'" means a bubbling spring and  because the Talo'fo'fo' River and the Tal'fo'fo Falls is  located there the name could possibly mean between the bubbling springs.
Tamuning/Tumon
Tamuneng:  There are two Carolinian stories that relate to how this village derives its name.  First, there was a Carolinian chief named Tamuneng who was brought over from Ulol Atoll in the Caroline Islands.  The second came from a Carolinian word "tamuneng" which is the movement of people from Apotguan on to the area where a cotton plantation was run by a George Johnston.  Mr. Johnston was an American businessman who married a Spaniard woman and was permitted to grow cotton in what is now Tamuneng. 
Tomhom.  The village derives its name from the saying "ti apmam homhom".  "Ti   apman homhom" means it is getting dark and refers to hunters and fishermen who walk from southern Guahan to fish or hunt in this place and by the time they get there it is nearing darkness.
Umatac
This village derives its name from the word "uma".  "Uma" means to carry something or the back or a heavy load on the shoulders.
Yigo
Yigu.  This village derives its name from the  word "yugu".  "Yugu" means the frame placed over the neck of a carabao and harnessed to a cart.
Yona
The village derives its name from the word "iyo-na".  "Iyo-na" means the possession of something be it material things, personal items, or spiritual ownership.
Source:  Chamorro Language Commission.
Just WHERE is Guam, Nai? Climate Population
Marine Drive - Hagatna Villages 1997 Village District Census
Physical description of the island Indigenous Plants and Animals The Infamous Brown Tree Snake
Villages Meaning Chart Mayor's Council of Guam Directory Chart District Designated Flowers Chart