Jace Lamonica
A quick glance at a map might leave you questioning reality. Some towns have names so bizarre they seem made up, but humor and a few happy accidents made them official. Their backstories, at times, are much more odd than the names themselves.
Embarrass, Minnesota
Frozen solid in winter, Embarrass is no joke. This small town is often the coldest place in Minnesota, with temperatures plummeting below -60°F. French explorers named it after the word “embarras,” meaning obstruction, likely referring to the region’s tricky river navigation.
Boring, Oregon
Boring doesn’t chase excitement; the town leans into its quirky name. Honoring early settler William H. Boring, locals add humor with playful signage. A fitting connection was also made with Dull, Scotland, as a “sister city.”
Chicken, Alaska
Apparently, miners wanted to call it Ptarmigan, after the local bird, but struggled with the spelling. And instead, they went with “Chicken.” This story is likely untrue. A better explanation ties the name to nearby Chicken Creek, known for its sizable gold nuggets. Still, the town embraces its quirky identity and hosts the annual Chickenstock festival.
Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico
A game show shaped this town’s identity. Originally called Hot Springs, it was renamed in 1950 after a radio program offered to host its anniversary in the first town willing to adopt its name. To this day, it hosts an annual festival honoring the bizarre decision.
Accident, Maryland
This town’s existence is no mistake, despite its unfortunate name. A surveyor once marked the same land twice, leading to its odd title. This error dates back to the 1700s. Though small, it continues to spark jokes about travelers “arriving there by accident.”
Intercourse, Pennsylvania
More than two centuries have passed since 1814, when an Amish town gained a name that raises eyebrows. Previously called Cross Keys, it was renamed to honor fellowship. Today, the humor remains, with souvenirs playing up the double meaning. Tourists visit just to snap photos.
Hell, Michigan
The town fully leans into its devilish name. Local legends suggest a German traveler once described the swampy area as “so schön hell” (so beautifully bright), leading to the name. It freezes over every winter, and visitors can buy humorous souvenirs proving they “went to Hell and back.”
No Name, Colorado
Today, road-trippers can’t help but notice the No Name exit, a town that sounds like a joke. Interstate planners once used it as a placeholder, but a clerical error kept it unchanged. The name, meant to be temporary, became official by accident.
Uncertain, Texas
Some town names have clear origins, but Uncertain, Texas, isn’t one of them. A popular myth claims the name came from early settlers who were unsure whether they were in Texas or Louisiana. What we know with certainty, though, is that the town was officially incorporated in 1961 as a Type B general law city.
Monkey’s Eyebrow, Kentucky
Folklore gave this tiny Kentucky town its unusual name. Locals claim that from a map, the bend in a nearby river makes the area resemble a monkey’s face, with the town sitting right at the “eyebrow.” Though small, it has earned a place in the long list of America’s strangest town names.
