Several histories of the Miami name exist. One story explains that the "Miami discovered the Cherokee and were in the habit of making war on them." The Miami fought the Cherokee three times when the Cherokee decided to fight back.

Following the Miami to a prairie, the Cherokee saw two cranes. The Cherokee ran after the cranes across the prairie and found the Miami on the other side. Squawking, the scared cranes warned the Miami of the Cherokee's approach. A battle between the two soon followed. As the Miami and Cherokee struggled the cranes became more and more loud and then flew away. At the end only one Cherokee was left. When he returned to his village the Cherokee man announced that his war party was defeated not by people but by "the Twau twaus who could fly off at will."

Johnson Virtual Exhibit of Miami Culture Tribal Origins Miami Name Family Life Miami Language Explorers' Impressions Bibliography Credits Back to Miami home page

The Iriquois name for the Miami is also similar to "Twau twau."

Early European reports mention the crane as the symbol of the Miami and even include some variations of the Irioquois and Cherokee name. Some examples include: Tweeghtwees, Twicktwigs and Twightwees.

The French called the Miami "Oumamik" which is similar to the Ojibwa name for the Miami, omamik. Omamik is close to what the Miami call themselves. The English on the other hand, constantly referred to the Miami as the twaatwaa.

The reason for the change from Twau twau to Miami is unknown.