10 American Town Names That Are Laugh and Blush-Worthy
Residents of certain towns often hear outside visitors say, “That can’t be!” when they discover their town’s name.
Have you visited any of these places with amusing names, or do you reside in a town with a funny name that we didn’t mention here?
1: China, Texas
With a population under 1,300, the Texas version of China looks a heck of a lot different than the country of China. The town originally went by the name China Grove because of its chinaberry trees. After a destructive fire in 1906, the town dropped “Grove,” leaving “China” as its official name.
2: Intercourse, Pennsylvania
The town of Intercourse was originally called Cross Keys when it was founded in 1754. In 1814, it underwent a name change that now turns heads in our modern-day society. But that wasn’t always the case; the word “intercourse” was akin to “fellowship” before its meaning evolved into its current meaning. That’s semantic change at its finest, folks.
3: Sandwich, New Hampshire
Sandwich, New Hampshire, obtained its name from John Montague, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich. Legend says Montague liked to bet at restaurants and would go hours without eating. However, when he did order, it was a sandwich.
4: North, South Carolina
Want to confuse your GPS? Type in “North South Carolina.” The city of North in South Carolina received its name from John F. North, the town’s first-ever mayor. It’s believed that three men, North included, built a city around the railroad in the area. North’s influence led to the town’s name, which continues to baffle visitors to this day.
5: Ding Dong, Texas
The town of Ding Dong, Texas, may not be known for childhood games like Ding Dong Ditch, but it still has one of the funniest names on this list. The town allegedly obtained its name after two settlers, Zulis, and Burt Bell, opened a shop and hired an artist to make a sign. The artist created two bells and wrote “ding” and “dong” beneath them.
6: Santa Claus, Indiana
The town of Santa Claus, Indiana, fittingly received its name on Christmas Eve. Historians say the townspeople applied for a post office under the name of Santa Fe. The problem? A nearby town had already claimed the name. Luckily for the villagers, the elves aligned during a town meeting in 1856 when a little girl heard jingle bells and said, “Santa Claus.” And so, Santa Claus, Indiana, was born.
7: Monday, Ohio
Though notoriously considered one of the most disappointing days of the week, Monday, Ohio, sports its name proudly. The town of Monday received its name in 1880 after a post office. The post office operated until 1914, but its memory lives on among history buffs.
8: Chugwater, Wyoming
Contrary to what some believe, Chugwater didn’t get its name because locals have an affinity for H2O. Instead, it’s believed that when Native Americans hunted buffaloes, the prey would fall into the river, and the sound of a “chug” would follow. They called the stream “the water at the place where the buffalo chug.” After their arrival, white settlers modified the name to Chugwater.
9: Why, Arizona
Why oh why are post offices at it again? The town of Why, Arizona, received its name when it was big enough to need a post office. Residents submitted the name “Y” and were told they needed at least three letters for consideration; they went with “Why.” It’s believed the original name stemmed from State Routes 85 and 86 crossing in a “Y” intersection.
10: Coward, South Carolina
Can you hear the taunting now of high schoolers making fun of athletes from the town of Coward? Locals only partially know where its name originates from. Historians believe two stories to be true. The first story states the city name honors Confederate veteran Col. Asbury Coward. However, other records show that the town was named after John Wilson Coward, a “Committee of 50” member and successful planter who donated the land where the town’s first public school came to fruition.
The Laughing Continues
There are over 120 towns in the US with peculiar names. Can you name any more of them? According to a study, over 15,000 towns have unique names that aren’t found anywhere else in the country.
Up for Grabs
Most towns in the United States receive their names from their founders. For Example, Washington, D.C. was named after George Washington. The same rule often follows street names in major cities.
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