The English name "Acoma" was borrowed from Spanish (1583) or (1598). The Spanish name was borrowed from the Acoma word meaning 'person from Acoma Pueblo'. itself is derived from (singular; plural: ). The name does not have any meaning in the modern Acoma language. Some tribal authorities connect it to the similar word , 'preparedness, place of preparedness', and suggest that this might be the origin of the name. The name does not mean 'sky city'. Other tribal elders assert that it means 'place that always was' while outsiders say it means 'people of the white rock'.