Has an Indian name variously translated "portage," "long portage," "place where pickerel are caught," and "place of pike." Corruption of Okakaning, often shortened into Kakaning, "where they fish for pike, or pike fishing ground." "Where I fish pike." Corruption of the Indian name of Grand Kaukaulin, or rapids of the Fox river. "Portage" or "place of pike" or "crow nesting place." "Bureau of Ethnology in Washington describes it as a Menominee Indian word, agaq-kane, meaning the place of pike..." Kaukauna was formerly Kakilo, Kakalo (Jesuit Relation of 1670 is Kekaling). Is not a Chippewa name. The meaning is doubtful; it may mean porcupine-place, from kauk or gag (porcupine).

"Over the years it has had many names: Kakalin, Cacolin, Cau Caulin, Kackaloo, Grand Kaukaulin, Grande Coquiller Rapides.  The name derives from the Menomini word, Ogag-kane, meaning the stopping place of the pike or O-Gau-Gau-Ning, the stopping place of the pickerel. " -- "Kaukauna: "Lion of the Fox" by Mary Grogan-Seleen which appeared in the Summer 1985 issue of Voyageur magazine.

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Kaukauna, Wisconsin

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[Source: Wisconsin Motorist, Jan. 1914Cast, Karl (Appleton teacher)Milwaukee Journal, Sept. 25, 1921Milwaukee Journal, Feb. 21, 1932Appelton Post-Cresent, Oct. 13, 1937]