Spanaway is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pierce County, Washington, United States.

[3] Spanaway is an unincorporated area near Tacoma, and is often identified together with the more urban, less wealthy Parkland.

The Hudson's Bay Company, headquartered at Fort Nisqually, had control of this region until 1863.

Lushootseed underwent a loss of nasal consonants in the 1800s, so "Spanueh" simply transcribes an older pronunciation of what is now "Spadue".

The journey was made by stagecoach, with an overnight stop in Eatonville; the route was in operation as early as 1893.

[5] Although the U.S. Board on Geographic Names recognized the community of "Lake Park" in 1897, it had to very belatedly reverse its decision in 1970 to accept common usage: Spanaway (Spanueh).