The precise origin of the term is not definitively documented, but the most widely accepted theory connects it to early Native American tribes, specifically in the northeastern United States. There are three main lines of reasoning:

The term is believed to have originated in the late 18th century in the Ohio Valley or the region west of the Appalachian Mountains—what was then considered the "Indian frontier." Settlers in these areas would note a return of summer-like weather after the first frosts, and because they were living in territory associated with Native Americans, they appended the descriptor "Indian" to the phenomenon.

In summary, while the exact origin is debated, the name most likely honors the observation and use of this weather phenomenon by Native American tribes who actively hunted and gathered during this final, brief return to warmth.