How Many U.S. States Begin With the Letter "I"?

The letters that rank second in starting the most states, all with four states each, are "A," "I" and "W." Seven letters do not begin the name of any states: "B," "E," "J," "Q," "X," "Y" and "Z." According to State Symbols USA, Idaho was simply a made up word with no real meaning. Illinois is "the French version of an Algonquin Indian word for "warriors." Indiana means "Land of the Indians" and Iowa was named after a tribe of Sioux Indians called the Ioway.