English settlers arrived in the east. So wherever they were when they named an area, that was the original, and as they spread west, north or south, they had to add those directions to keep them distinct.
I have to say I prefer New Mexico A and New Mexico B. It's poetic justice, as the Eastern border of New Mexico was drawn by a drunken surveyor from TX, so we're just getting back what was ours. Take a look at the map, and the history, strange, but true. Also Tennessee and Elevenessee are made for each other.
Many residents of Kentessee would love to change the name to Elevennessee, but that's been found extremely exclusive by the former Kentucky residents who were lumped into the state upon its creation.
