Explanation 1: "Composed of parts of two words, 'wau' from 'waugh' and "tom" from 'tomah.' The two united are supposed to mean 'good earth' or 'good life' or 'where to spend a good life.' Tomah was the name of an Indian chief." Explanation 2: "Uncle John Satterlee says that wautoma in Menominee would mean a "ball" possibly referring to a place where a sacred la crosse game took place."  The town was initially called "Shumwaytown" after John P. Shumway, an early settler.

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[Source: Explanation 1: Milwaukee Journal, 16 Nov. 1926; Explanation 2: C.E. Brown; Milwaukee Sentinel, Oct. 3, 1948.]