 Berrien Springs, like Berrien County, is named for John M. Berrien; "Springs" was added after mineral springs were discovered in the area.The village is the site of the earliest settlement in Oronoko Township, and was first known as "Wolf's Prairie" in reference to the 1,000-acre prairie in which it was situated.The site had been a village under the leadership of a Potawatamie man named Wolf.