From the French word "racine." Father Verwyst says: French traders called it after an Indian Chief whose name was Otchibik (O-tchee-beek) - Root. Otchibik means the root of any tree or plant.

From Increase Lapham's 1844 Geographical and Topographical Description of Wisconsin:

"ROOT RIVER, is about thirty-five miles in length, rising in Milwaukee county, and entering Lake Michigan at Racine. It is quite a rapid stream, as it originates in very high ground but the small quantity of water renders it of but little value for hydraulic purposes, except at the rapids near Racine. ..."

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[Source: Letter of Father Verwyst. 20 Feb. 1917.]