Here are 10 towns and cities with the most bizarre names. You’re going to laugh your head off at the thought of reading these names.
10. Boring, Oregon
Boring is a community in Oregon, United States. It was named after William H. Boring, someone who lived in the area in the 19th and 20th century. In 2005, the people of Boring applied to become a legally recognized village in Oregon. They were defeated after a long debate. The community was an important part of the Oregon timber industry for much of the 20th century.
9. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois is the third most populous city in the United States, after New York City and Los Angeles, with 2.7 million residents. There is several possibilities for the origins of this city’s name, none of them particularly pleasing or satisfying to the people living in it. The most common suggestion proposes it is a French derivative of the Indian word chicagoua, which translates to “wild garlic”. But chicagoua has an alternate meaning in the Miami-Illinois Indian language: “skunk.” It’s not surprising to know that 19th century residents adopted the nickname, “the Windy City,” instead.
8. No Place, England
No Place is a tiny village in England. It is home to a famous real ale pub, the Beamish Mary Inn. The origin of the village’s unusual name is inconclusive; however, theories have suggested a shortening of “North Place,” “Near Place,” or “Nigh Place.” Other people have suggested that the original houses of the village stood on a boundary between two parishes, neither of which wanted the village.
7. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, Massachusetts
Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg is a lake
situated in the town of Webster, Massachusetts. The lake is close to the
Connecticut border. It holds the longest place name in the U.S. and the 6th longest in the world. Many people refer to the body of water as Lake
Chaubunagungamaug or Webster Lake. The original name comes from
Nipmuc, an Algonquian language, and is believed to translate to, “Fishing Place at
the Boundaries — Neutral Meeting Grounds.”
6. Accident, Maryland
Accident is a town in Garret County, Maryland. In 2010, there were 325 people, 141 households in Accident. When Lord Baltimore opened up the area he called Monocacy Manor to settlement in the early 1770s, Brooke Beall secured permission to survey 778 acres. It will never be known for certain how Beall came to choose this particular spot.
5. Puke, Albania
This town is located in Northern Albania and has a population of 6,495 as of 2005. The city is one of the highest in elevation in Albania is a tourist destination for people who enjoy skiing. The name comes from the Latin word for public road.
4. Hell, Michigan
Hell is a community in Livingston County, Michigan, U.S.A. Hell grew up around a sawmill, gristmill, distillery and tavern. The origins of the name are unknown, but theorists believe that German travellers named the town after they said “So schön hell!” which translates to so beautifully bright. Others believe that George Reeves named the town after being asked what the name should be. He replied by saying, “I don’t care, you can name it Hell for all I care”. The name became official in October of 1841.
3. Balls Falls, Ontario, Canada
If you’re looking for beautiful Balls Falls, go to this striking Niagara region of southern Ontario. A remarkable ghost town, dating back to the 1800s, and truly scenic conservation areas, this hilariously named waterfall doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of town’s appeal. Let’s just hope it wasn’t named after a horrific and ill-fated accident.
2. Dildo, Newfoundland, Canada
Dildo is a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland & Labrador. Dildo has a long history, going as far back as 2000 BC when early settlers resided at Anderson’s Cove. Dildo has a fast-growing tourist industry, on account of the town’s unusual name.
Dildo offers great scenery and fun, with several bed and breakfasts, eating
establishments, and the Dildo Museum.
1. Swastika, Ontario, Canada
Swastika is a small community in Northern, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1908 as a mining site. The town was named after the Swastika Gold Mine in the fall of 1907. During WWII, the provincial government wanted to change the town’s name to Winston, in honour of Winston Churchill, but the town refused. They cited the name being there long before the Nazis used the symbol as the reason for refusing change. The Swastika area continues to support a strong tourist industry throughout the year. The summers are met with a number of anglers, hunters, and campers looking for adventure. Ontario is home to many European named countries, including Moscow, Paris, Zurich, Berlin, London etc.