The Mississippi River, the longest river in North America, is known by a variety of names. The Native American tribes who originally inhabited the region called it "Misi-ziibi," which means "great river" or "father of waters." In French, the river is called "Fleuve Mississippi," which translates to "the Mississippi River." Other synonyms for the Mississippi River include "Big Muddy," "Old Man River," and "The Mighty Mississippi." In addition, the river has various nicknames depending on the region, such as "The Blues Highway" in Memphis and "The Gateway to the West" in St. Louis. Regardless of the name, the Mississippi River holds significant historical, ecological, and cultural importance for the United States.