Terlingua means "three tongues". It is a corruption of the Spanish words, tres lenguas. The origin of the word tongues differs amongst folklorists. One interpretation refers to the three different languages spoken in the area: Indian, Spanish, and English. Terlingua Creek branches off into three tongues or forks and creates another possibility of the meaning. Terlingua Abaja or lower Terlingua refers to a Mexican Village along the Rio Grande, originally named Terlingua. It existed long before the mining community took to the name of Terlingua.