The US is home to over a hundred thousand cities and towns. Many are named after historical events and important figures who have made a lasting impression on Americans. They serve as symbols of pride and a reminder of this great nation’s history and progression (think about Columbia or Washington, DC).
Certain places get their names from early settlers, while others are linked to local geographical features.
Then, there are names that make no logical sense. In fact, some are downright outrageous and strange.
In this article, we list ten of the funniest and most bizarre names you will come across in the United States. Some are so over the top that you might want to visit them in person just to make sure they really exist.
10 Unusual and Funny Names of Towns in the US
1. Ding Dong, Texas
For us, this one in Texas USA comes out on top among all the funny town names you can find in the country.
Ding Dong is a tiny unincorporated community on the Lampasas River in Central Texas, and the story of its inception is as interesting as its name.
According to locals, Ding Dong got its name in the 1930s when Zulis and Bert Bell commissioned an artist to design a sign for their general store. The artist created a sign with two bells and the words “ding dong” underneath them.
The rest, as the 20-odd residents of this small community say, is history.
2. Whynot, North Carolina
Yes, you heard it right. Whynot is a real town in the state of North Carolina.
This unincorporated village in Randolph County has around 100 residents and a history dating back to the 18th century. And it is not just known for its quirky name. Located on the North Carolina Pottery Highway, Whynot is home to several top-class pottery shops, too.
Wondering how the town ended up with its name? It is said that a local resident suggested Whynot at the end of an unending debate over what to name the town. Actually, the community was originally named Why Not, which later became one word.
3. Ninety Six, South Carolina
Why come up with a name when you can assign a number? Well, that’s what local townspeople in Ninety Six have done.
Located in Greenwood County, South Carolina, this small town is home to a population of 2,000. So, we are not talking about a sleepy ghost town here — Ninety Six is a full-fledged community that played a central role in regional trade and even wars.
However, there doesn’t seem to be much consensus on how it got its name. Some believe the name was given by traders who thought there were 96 miles from the town to the Cherokee village of Keowee.
4. Dead Women Crossing, Oklahoma
This is certainly an unusual name for a seemingly normal, unincorporated community in Custer County, Oklahoma. Unfortunately, its origin is rooted in a tragic event that took place in the area over a century ago.
In July 1905, a young mother boarded a train in Custer City with her 14-month-old baby after filing for divorce from her husband. Her body, with the head severed, was later found near a wooden wagon crossing.
Although the exact details of her untimely death remain a mystery to this day, the local residents ensured they never forgot the gruesome event by taking on the name Dead Women Crossing.
5. Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Ever heard of a town naming itself after a radio show? Believe it or not, a town in New Mexico did.
Hot Springs in Sierra County was originally named for its many natural hot springs. In 1950, Ralph Edwards, who hosted the popular radio show Truth or Consequences, challenged local towns to adopt the program’s name, stating he will air the show’s 10th-anniversary episode from the first one to do so.
So, Hot Spring’s residents changed its name and ensured the show was aired from their town. This led to a major annual celebration called the Fiesta, which the town holds yearly with a parade, stage show, and beauty pageant.
6. Hell, Michigan
This unincorporated community located in Livingston County, Michigan, regularly appears on funny city name lists for obvious reasons.
According to local legend, there are several theories about how the town got its quirky name. Some believe it was coined after a German traveler to the area cried out, “So schön hell!” (meaning, “so beautifully bright”). Others claim that the name was the result of the harsh conditions the early settlers encountered.
Whatever the reasons, Hell promises a memorable experience for visitors. After all, in what other town can you get a degree from the Damnation University or send a postcard from a post office in Hell?
7. Santa Claus, Indiana
Travelers to Santa Claus in Spencer County can experience Christmas throughout the year. This is America’s Christmas Hometown, and it is full of themed attractions to celebrate the popular holiday.
By the sound of it, the town got its name by pure coincidence — apparently, its residents got together at the local church one Christmas Eve to arrive at a name. They finally came to an agreement when they overheard children shouting “Santa Clause.”
Today, the town’s post office gets swamped with letters from kids all over the country writing to Santa Claus. And its residents volunteer during the holidays to respond to each letter on behalf of Father Christmas.
8. Monkey’s Eyebrow, Kentucky
No list of funniest town names is complete without a note on this one. Located in Ballard County, this unincorporated community has raised quite a few eyebrows (no pun intended).
Folklore is abundant about the origin of its name. Some believe that the area resembles a monkey’s eyebrow from the hilltop. Other theorists claim the county itself takes the shape of a monkey’s head when viewed from the air and the town is located where the eyebrows should be.
Regardless of its name’s origin, Monkey’s Eyebrow makes way for plenty of jokes among locals and visitors.
9. Embarrass, Minnesota
Located in St. Louis County, Embarrass is known for its frigid temperatures and Finnish heritage. The town was named after the Embarrass River, which early French fur traders found difficult to navigate.
They called it “Embarras,” which means “to hinder” or “obstacle.” Despite its name, the community is proud of its Finnish roots and its reputation for extreme cold.
10. Boring, Oregon
Nestled in Clackamas County, Boring is anything but dull. Named after William H. Boring, a Union soldier and pioneer, the town has embraced its name with tongue-in-cheek humor.
It has even partnered with the village of Dull in Scotland and the town of Bland in Australia to celebrate their amusing names together as “The Trinity of Tedium.” Visitors often flock to Boring to get a picture with the town’s quirky signs and to experience its beautiful surrounding landscape.
Conclusion
Some funny town names can be seriously over the top, and the US has plenty of them. What we have mentioned in this article are ten of our favorites.
But the list goes on — from Pie Town, New Mexico, Lick Fork, West Virginia, and Bird in Hand, Pennsylvania to Beer Bottle Crossing, Idaho, Blunt, South Dakota, Bat Cave, North Carolina, Possum Trot, Kentucky, and Sandwich, New Hampshire.
So, the next time you receive mail from a town with a funny or bizarre name, don’t just dismiss it. Reverse search the address first on Nuwber to check whether it is legitimate, since you never know, it might exist for real.
FAQ
Which US town is home to the longest place name?
While many places in the US boast seriously funny and mind-numbing names, the longest one goes to Webster, Massachusetts.
So, what is the longest name in America? Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. Now, that is an impressive 49-character tongue-twister!
And what does it mean? The widely used translation is “You fish on your side; I fish on my side; nobody fishes in the middle.” But according to some, the actual meaning is “Fishing place at the boundaries, neutral meeting grounds.”
What is America’s first city?
St. Augustine in the state of Florida goes down in history books as the oldest city in the US.
It was founded in 1565 by the Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles and became a key base for Spanish settlers in the region for around 200 years.
Over 450 years since St. Augustine’s inception, you can still see the town’s Spanish roots in its culture, cuisine, and architecture.
Established in 1609, Santa Fe in New Mexico is known as the second oldest American city.
How were US cities named?
City and town names often took root in the cultures of the area’s first settlers. For instance, you can easily identify the influence of the French and the Native Americans in Des Moines and Narragansett (in Rhode Island), respectively.
Some town and city names are linked to the original owners of the land or a prominent local figure. Washington, DC, which has taken on the last name of President George Washington, is a good example of this.
Certain places are linked to events or geographic features (such as lakes and mountains), although some are simply random names collectively derived by the towns’ residents.
Why do American towns have English names?
Hundreds of US towns and counties have names with English origins, mainly due to the early British colonies.
Birmingham, Manchester, London, South Wales, Plymouth, and Bristol, for example, are common city names in the UK that have also been adopted in the US (in multiple places, at times). According to one estimate, there are around 650 such names that come from Britain and Europe.
We can only assume the logic behind this: Instead of inventing new city names, it is likely that British settlers chose familiar ones from back home to create a sense of familiarity and comfort in their new settlements.
Can you change city names?
Yes, many US city and town names have been officially changed in the past due to various reasons.
Yokuts Valley and Loybas Hill, originally called Squaw Valley and Squaw Hill, in California are recent examples of name changes implemented by the federal government.
This was done as part of the initiatives of the Board on Geographic Names to eliminate the derogatory term “squaw.”
However, the specific process for renaming a city could differ based on federal and state legislation. In some areas, the city council and voters have the final say in deciding on a specific name.
About the author
Chief Technical Officer at Nuwber
With nearly two decades of experience in the IT industry, Eugene possesses comprehensive knowledge across his professional field, including in data management, data protection, and information search. Through his writing, he aims to provide valuable insights and practical advice on how to safely explore the online environment and leverage digital tools to enhance people’s lives.
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