America has charming small towns, scenic views, and bizarre place names. Whether it’s a pun, a mystery, or something that makes you double-take, these towns have names you’ll never forget (even if you try).
From the laugh-out-loud to the head-scratchers, these are the places where GPS might think you’re joking. Here are the 20 weirdest town names in the United States, ranked from quirky to downright ridiculous.
20. Accident, Maryland
This western Maryland town sounds like something went very wrong during naming. Don’t worry—it’s perfectly safe to visit.
19. Boring, Oregon
Boring gets the joke and leans into it. It’s a lovely little town with a name that sells itself short.
18. Embarrass, Minnesota
The coldest place in the continental U.S. is also among the most awkwardly named. Locals seem to have no shame about it, though.
17. Monkey’s Eyebrow, Kentucky
Yes, that’s the name. No, we’re unsure how monkeys or their facial features came into it.
16. Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
This town changed its name for a game show. It’s dramatic, bold, and amazing.
15. Why, Arizona
Originally named for a Y-shaped intersection, Why is now just a big question mark. Why not?
14. Toad Suck, Arkansas
Supposedly named after steamboat crews who “sucked on bottles like toads,” this name never fails to raise eyebrows. It also hosts the Toad Suck Daze Festival, so they’re owning it.
13. Intercourse, Pennsylvania
It’s right next to Blue Ball and Bird-in-Hand, which doesn’t make things any less awkward. Amish Country has a sense of humor.
12. Chicken, Alaska
Chicken got its name because no one could spell “ptarmigan.” True story—and a smart move.
11. Hell, Michigan
Go ahead, tell your boss you’re moving to Hell. It freezes over every winter, which is pretty on-brand.
10. Looneyville, Texas
Originally named after a local store owner, Looneyville still sounds like the setting of a cartoon. Its population is just a couple of hundred—and hopefully, at least one cartoonist.
9. Tightwad, Missouri
This town supposedly got its name from a dispute over the price of a watermelon. And they’ve been embracing frugality ever since.
8. Booger Hole, West Virginia
The name is weird, the backstory is darker—something about ghosts and crime in the early 1900s. Either way, it’s a place people remember.
7. Pie Town, New Mexico
Honestly, this one sounds delicious. It was named after a bakery that no longer exists, but the name stuck, and they still celebrate with pie festivals.
6. No Name, Colorado
They couldn’t come up with a name, so “No Name” is. If you get lost in the irony, it’s next to Glenwood Springs.
5. Lizard Lick, North Carolina
It sounds like a prank, but it’s real. There was even a reality TV show based here, which makes sense.
4. Ding Dong, Texas
Ding Dong was named after a sign featuring bells and the founders’ names. It’s a small town with a name that rings forever.
3. Santa Claus, Indiana
Yes, there’s a post office, and it gets jam-packed in December. They also have a theme park and a year-round holiday vibe.
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2. Hooker, Oklahoma
It’s not what it sounds like, but good luck explaining that to someone reading your return address. The town slogan? “It’s a location, not a vocation.”
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1. Climax, Michigan
This one takes the crown because it’s impossible to say without a pause. Every road sign is an unintentional joke; the town has leaned into it with pride.
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