From Boring to Chicken, Intercourse to Booger Hole, America's landscape is dotted with towns bearing names that range from the chuckle-worthy to the downright bizarre. Discover the strange stories behind these peculiarly named communities and what life is like for the residents who proudly call these oddly-named places home.
Across America's vast landscape, between major cities and tourist destinations, lie communities with names so peculiar and unexpected that they cause double-takes on road signs and chuckles when mentioned in conversation. These unusually named towns represent a fascinating slice of American culture, history, and humor that often goes overlooked. From suggestive puns to bizarre combinations, these place names reveal much about America's settlement history and the quirky sensibilities of those who named them.
While some residents embrace their town's unusual moniker with pride and good humor, others have learned to navigate the jokes, raised eyebrows, and inevitable questions that come with saying where they're from. Let's explore some of America's most delightfully strange town names and the stories behind them.
Strange But True: American Placenames That Make You Look Twice
America's map is sprinkled with names that sound like they were chosen on a dare or during a particularly creative moment. Towns like Intercourse, Pennsylvania; Hell, Michigan; Pig, Kentucky; and Toad Suck, Arkansas prompt immediate reactions ranging from giggles to genuine confusion.
Other notable mentions include Zzyzx, California (pronounced "zye-zicks"), which holds the distinction of being alphabetically last among American place names; Whynot, North Carolina, reportedly named after locals kept asking "Why not?" during debates about naming the town; and Nothing, Arizona, which unfortunately now lives up to its name as it's become a ghost town.
Some names even create unintentional humor when paired with neighboring towns. Residents near the Pennsylvania towns of Intercourse, Blue Ball, and Paradise are well aware of the suggestive route one can take through their communities.
How These Towns Got Their Peculiar Names
The origins of these unusual names typically fall into several categories. Many derive from misunderstandings or poor translations of Native American words. Others come from local landmarks, events, or characteristics that seemed significant to early settlers. Some are simply the result of founders with a sense of humor or a desire to create something memorable.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico has one of the most documented naming stories. The town, originally called Hot Springs, renamed itself in 1950 after the popular NBC radio program "Truth or Consequences" hosted by Ralph Edwards. Edwards had announced he would broadcast from any town willing to rename itself after the show, and Hot Springs took him up on the offer.
Peculiar, Missouri reportedly got its name when the postmaster was told by postal authorities that he needed to select something "peculiar" after his previous choices were rejected for being duplicates of existing town names. He took the suggestion literally.
Other towns like Boring, Oregon (named after William H. Boring, an early resident) and Bland, Virginia (named after politician Richard Bland) weren't trying to be descriptive - they simply honored local figures whose surnames proved unfortunate in the long run.
Northeastern Odd-Named Towns
The Northeast, with its long colonial history, features some of America's oldest and strangest town names:
Intercourse, Pennsylvania - Despite the suggestive name, the origin is quite innocent, likely referring to the intersection of roads or the social intercourse (communication) between communities.
Blue Ball, Pennsylvania - Named after a historical inn that had a blue ball hanging from its sign.
Accident, Maryland - The name reportedly comes from a "land accident" when surveyors accidentally marked the same tract of land twice.
Mianus, Connecticut - Pronounced "my-ANN-us," this community's name has been the subject of endless jokes, particularly after being featured on late-night comedy.
Satan's Kingdom, Massachusetts - A small, unincorporated community that got its name from its difficult farming conditions and rough terrain that early settlers considered hellish.
Southern Peculiar Placenames
The South has embraced colorful naming conventions that often reflect local humor and history:
Toad Suck, Arkansas - Legend says the name comes from tavern-frequenting steamboat operators who would "suck on bottles until they swelled up like toads."
Booger Hole, West Virginia - Despite sounding like a childish prank, the name refers to a local ghost or "booger" that supposedly haunted the area.
Flippen, Georgia - While it sounds like a censored expletive, it's named after a local family.
Scratch Ankle, Alabama - Supposedly named because the local brush was so thick that it scratched people's ankles as they walked through.
Two Egg, Florida - Named during the Great Depression when two eggs was the trading price for necessary items at the local general store.
Midwest Strange Town Names
The Midwest contributes its fair share of linguistic oddities:
Hell, Michigan - According to local legend, founder George Reeves was asked what he thought the town should be called, and he replied, "Call it Hell for all I care." The name stuck.
Frankenstein, Missouri - Not named after the monster, but after Gottfried Franken, an early settler.
Gnaw Bone, Indiana - Likely a corruption of the French name "Narbonne."
Peculiar, Missouri - As mentioned earlier, named after a postal official's frustration.
Sleepy Eye, Minnesota - Named after Chief Sleepy Eye of the Dakota Nation, known for the droopy appearance of one eye.
Western Weird Communities
The American West, with its boom-and-bust history and frontier spirit, created some especially creative town names:
Why, Arizona - Named for the Y-shaped intersection of two highways.
Zzyzx, California - Artificially created by Curtis Howe Springer to be "the last word in health" (and alphabetically).
Boring, Oregon - Named after William H. Boring, the community has embraced its name by forming a partnership with Dull, Scotland and Bland, Australia as sister cities.
Weed, California - Named after founder Abner Weed, not the plant, though the town has embraced the pun with gift shops selling "I Love Weed" merchandise.
Jackass Flats, Nevada - Named for the wild burros that once roamed the area.
Alaska and Hawaii Oddities
Even America's non-contiguous states offer unusual names:
Chicken, Alaska - The story goes that settlers wanted to name the town after the Ptarmigan bird common in the area but couldn't agree on spelling, so they settled on "Chicken" instead.
Unalaska, Alaska - Despite sounding like a negation of the state it's in, it's derived from the Aleut word "Ounalashka."
Volcano, Hawaii - Straightforwardly named for its location near Kīlauea volcano.
Kaneohe, Hawaii - While not unusual to Hawaiian speakers, mainland visitors often struggle with pronunciation (kah-neh-OH-hey).
Living in an Unusually Named Town
For residents of these communities, the novelty of their town's name can be both a blessing and a curse. Many report the same experiences:
When introducing themselves, they often face the same jokes and questions. "Yes, I really live in Intercourse" or "No, Hell doesn't freeze over in winter" become standard responses. Mail can occasionally be problematic, with postal workers in other regions questioning the legitimacy of the addresses.
Many residents develop a thick skin and sense of humor. In Hooker, Oklahoma (named after ranch foreman John "Hooker" Threlkeld), t-shirts proclaiming "Hooker: It's a location, not a vocation" sell briskly to tourists.
For teenagers, these town names can be particularly challenging during the already awkward high school years. Some report temporarily claiming to be from neighboring communities when meeting new people to avoid the inevitable snickering.
Tourism and Marketing Around Strange Names
Many of these towns have embraced their unusual names as marketing opportunities. Hell, Michigan offers wedding ceremonies where couples can literally get "married in Hell" and issues "certificates of impeachment" to visitors. The town's ice cream shop serves "gravedigger sundaes" and other themed treats.
Intercourse, Pennsylvania attracts tourists who want photos with the town sign, and the gift shops do a brisk business in t-shirts and postcards playing on the name. The town is in Amish country, creating an interesting juxtaposition between the suggestive name and the conservative community.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico hosts an annual festival commemorating its name change and has incorporated its unusual moniker into tourism campaigns for its hot springs and nearby Elephant Butte Lake.
These naming quirks have even led to international partnerships. Boring, Oregon; Dull, Scotland; and Bland, Australia formed the "League of Extraordinary Communities" in 2013, using their mundane names as a tourism hook.
For many small towns facing economic challenges, their unusual names provide a unique marketing angle that larger, more conventionally named places can't match. A memorable name often provides free publicity when included in roundups like "America's strangest town names" in travel publications.
Frequently Asked Questions About 27 Hilariously Strange Town Names Across America You Won't Believe Exist
What is the town with the longest name in the United States?
The unincorporated community with the longest name is Kleinfeltersville, Pennsylvania at 18 letters. However, if you're looking for official municipalities, Rancho Santa Margarita in California and South Williamsport in Pennsylvania tie at 21 letters each. Hawaiian names tend to be longer phonetically but use fewer letters.
Are there any towns that have changed their unusual names due to embarrassment?
Yes, several towns have changed names due to negative connotations. Stinking Creek, Tennessee became Rose Creek, and Gobblers Knob, Indiana became Kearns. However, many towns retain their unusual names despite pressure, seeing them as part of their heritage and potential tourism draw.
How did Truth or Consequences, New Mexico get its name?
Truth or Consequences, formerly Hot Springs, renamed itself in 1950 after the popular NBC radio show hosted by Ralph Edwards. Edwards announced he would broadcast the show's 10th anniversary from any town willing to adopt the show's name. Hot Springs won the honor, and Edwards kept his promise, returning to the town for an annual fiesta for decades afterward.
Are there towns with suggestive names in other countries too?
Absolutely! Other countries have their share of eyebrow-raising place names. Examples include Climax in Canada, Middelfart in Denmark, Condom in France, Batman in Turkey, and the village of F***ing in Austria (which recently changed its spelling to Fugging after years of sign theft).
Do businesses in these towns play up the unusual names in their marketing?
Yes, many local businesses embrace their town's unusual name. In Weed, California, you'll find stores selling "I Love Weed" t-shirts. Hell, Michigan has Hell Hole Bar, Screams Ice Cream, and the Hell Country Store. In Intercourse, Pennsylvania, gift shops sell tongue-in-cheek souvenirs that play on the town's name while respecting the local Amish community.
What's the strangest reason a town got its unusual name?
Peculiar, Missouri has one of the strangest naming stories. When applying for a post office, the postmaster's suggested names were all rejected for being duplicates. Frustrated postal authorities told him to select something "peculiar." Taking this literally, he submitted "Peculiar," which was approved. Another contender is Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky, supposedly named because a local geographic feature resembled a monkey's eyebrow when viewed from above.
