Yosemite National Park was originally called “Ahawanee” by the southern Miwok people who lived there.
The Miwok word for grizzly or adult bear was “uzumati.” The word “uzumati” was corrupted by settlers who pronounced it “Yosemite” and then applied the name to the native people.
In 1851, a battalion of white soldiers named the valley “Yosemite” while chasing native people into the area following a series of conflicts between settlers and tribes.
Also worth noting: there are no longer grizzlies in Yosemite.
