... of the James, the York, and a few others, the rivers of Virginia were wisely permitted to retain their melodious Indian names. Among these are the Potomac, Rappahannock, Ohio, Shenandoah, Kanawha, Appomattox , Chickahominy, and Nassemond. Chesapeake Bay was also named by the Indians. The islands and the smaller mountains are generally named after their discoverers. Smith's Island, near Cape ...