According to the Geographic Names Information System, the river's name has also been historically spelled Togatatic and Totogatic. Its name is derived from the Ojibwe language Dootoogaatig-ziibi meaning "River of Boggy Riverway" (or literally, "River of spongy-ground river-course"), due to its course through wetlands.
The river's name has also been historically spelled Togatatic and Totogatic. Its name is derived from the Ojibwe language Dootoogaatig-ziibi meaning "River of Boggy Riverway" (or literally, "River of spongy-ground river-course"), due to its course through wetlands.