You’ve heard of San Francisco, Manhattan, and Orlando, but have you heard of Pee Pee, Hell, or Hippo? The United States is home to quite a few towns with some unbelievable names, and we’ve found what we think are the 30 most likely to make you chuckle. Keep scrolling for the 30 U.S. towns with the funniest names (and how they got them)!
Accident, Maryland
There are a few stories that attempt to explain just how Accident, Maryland got its name. The most popular story has roots in the 1700s, and claims that two surveyors, Brooke Beall and William Deakins, Jr., both claimed the same land without realizing the other had done so, too. Fortunately, the two men were friends, and Deakins allowed Beall to have the land. Beall named it “accident” because of the accident that had led to his ownership.
Booger Hole, West Virginia
In the early 1900s, this West Virginia town was one of the most violent places around. Several murders occurred in a short amount of time, and a number of other people simply disappeared. Attributing these tragedies to the boogieman, the local people christened the town Booger Hole, West Virginia. Today, Booger Hole remains a popular destination for ghost hunters intent on figuring out the mystery. And you thought this one was going to have to do with snot, didn’t you?
Boring, Maryland
Believe it or not, the original name of this town was Fairview! Unfortunately, in 1880 the postal service requested the town be renamed because there were just too many Fairviews in the rapidly growing United States. And so the people of this particular Fairview decided to rename their town in honor of their first postmaster, Mr. David J. Boring.
Bugtussle, Kentucky
Bugtussle, Kentucky is a rural hamlet located near the Tennessee border. During harvest times, guest workers would come and sleep in barns at night. Apparently, the local doodlebug population was so intense that the workers often shared their hay-beds with thousands of these bugs. It didn’t take too long before the doodlebugs were big enough to “tussle for the prime napping spots.” Who knew?
Bumpass, Virginia
Don’t worry, it’s pronounced “BUMP-iss.” There are a lot of creative stories surrounding the origin of Bumpass, Virginia’s unique name. While one legend claims someone rode through on a horse and bumped his you-know-what, another story insists hoboes had a habit of stepping off the train in town, thus earning it the name “Bum Pass.” The truth isn’t nearly as exciting. The town was actually named for the Bumpass family who lived in the area at the time it was named. “Bumpass” comes from the French “Bon Pas,” which means “good step.”
Burnt Corn, Alabama
You probably didn’t read about the Battle of Burnt Corn in school, did you? But this 1813 squabble between settlers and the local Native American tribe definitely happened, and some say it inspired the name of this Alabama town. According to town history, the settlers burned the Indians’ corn fields which then led to the aforementioned battle (which the Native Americans won, by the way).
Burnt Porcupine, Maine
To understand why this small coastal island got the name Burnt Porcupine, you simply have to look at its unique shape (okay, so maybe you have to squint a little). The rodent-shaped island may be the lucky locale to have made our list of places with the funniest names, but let’s not forget its neighbors: Long Porcupine, Bald Porcupine, and the head-scratcher that is Sheep Porcupine.
Ding Dong, Texas
Get this: the town of Ding Dong, Texas is located in Bell County. While it would be easy to assume that someone with a good sense of humor was responsible for this correlation, such an assumption would be wrong. While the town was named Ding Dong for the Bell family, its founders, the county was named for Governor Peter Hansborough Bell.
Eggnog, Utah
As it turns out, Eggnog, Utah is named after exactly that: eggnog. Though the drink is usually associated with Christmas and winter, this eggnog was actually given to settlers of the area while they looked after livestock.
Embarrass, Minnesota
No, there’s nothing really embarrassing about the town of Embarrass, Minnesota. When French explorers were traveling this unsettled land, they reportedly had some difficulties getting their canoes down the river. Thus, they named the town “Embarras,” French for “an obstacle for a difficult situation.”
Gas, Kansas
The jokes practically write themselves for this one! “You just passed Gas!” comes to mind. In 1898, valuable natural gas was found in the area. This prompted farmer E.K. Taylor to sell 60 acres of his land to industrial interests and the new workers who needed homes. Thus, the town of Gas was born.
Hell, Michigan
This one adds a whole new meaning to the phrase, “Go to Hell.” Located in central Michigan, Hell was established when a gristmill was opened by George Reeves in the early 1800s. Reeves is often credited with settling the town, so when Michigan gained its statehood, he was asked about what his settlement should be called. The ever-friendly Reeves reportedly replied, “I don’t care. You can name it Hell for all I care.” The name became official on October 13, 1841. Today, the town embraces its unusual name. Visitors can get married in Hell or become the “Mayor of Hell” for a day. If you stop by the post office to send a letter or postcard, the workers there will even singe its edges a bit.
Hippo, Kentucky
Unfortunately for animal-loving residents and passersby, there are no hippopotami in Hippo, Kentucky. Rather, the town was named for Bee Madison Craft, a 19th-century resident. While Mr. Craft must have done something notable to have a whole town named after him, he is instead remembered for his nickname. Apparently, “Hippo” was short for “hypochondriac.”
Hot Coffee, Mississippi
Apparently, the town of Hot Coffee, Mississippi was named after a really good cup of Joe. An inn owner called L.J. Davis claimed to make the best hot coffee around using pure spring water, beans from New Orleans, and molasses drippings as sweetener. Davis’s coffee was so beloved, that when it came time to give the town an official name, the people chose “Hot Coffee.”
Humptulips, Washington
Oh my. Despite the connection of two English words with varying meanings, local experts seem to agree that “Humptulips” actually comes from a Native American word. What that word is, however, is a bit less certain. While some think the word must have meant “chilly place,” others insist it meant “hard to pole,” as the Native Americans had trouble poling their canoes up the local river.
Intercourse, Pennsylvania
There are several theories as to how this town in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania got the name Intercourse. One theory claims “Intercourse” evolved from “Enter Course,” because the town was located near a racetrack. Another theory simply suggests it received its name because “Intercourse” means a “connection or dealings between persons or groups; exchange especially of thoughts or feelings,” and therefore just makes sense. A final theory states the town was named Intercourse because it was settled at the intersection of two main roads. However Intercourse got its name, we can at least be sure the reason wasn’t sexual in nature, as the sexual meaning of the term didn’t come into existence until long after Intercourse got its name. The nearby town of Blue Ball on the other hand…
Mosquitoville, Vermont
Perhaps surprisingly, people actually do live in Mosquitoville. This small Vermont locale is actually its own zip code within the official city limits of the town of Barnet. As you might have guess, Mosquitoville is the part of town built around a swamp.
No Name, Colorado
No Name, Colorado. How creative. When Interstate 70 was being constructed, the developers left a number of the exits unmarked. A representative from the Colorado Department of Transportation then wrote “No Name” on Exit 119. The rest, as they say, is history. Though state officials have tried many times to change the town’s name over the years, the locals have never allowed it. Apparently they’re quite proud of their no-name town.
Pee Pee, Ohio
We know you’re chuckling over this one. Alas, the town of Pee Pee, Ohio isn’t named for any bodily fluids. Rather, it got its name because of some initials, P.P., carved into a tree located in the would-be downtown. There are a few ideas as to who P.P. could have been, but no one knows for certain.
Pie Town, New Mexico
It’s amazing how many of these funny town names are literal. Pie Town, New Mexico is the perfect place for pie lovers, as it was named after a local bakery that made delicious apple pies! The town has really embraced its name and culture. Today, it hosts the annual Pie Festival complete with a pie-eating contest and baking contest.
Satans Kingdom, Vermont
Of all the American towns with the funniest names, this one just might have the funniest story. According to local history, this small town in Vermont was named by a local settler who had “expected fertile, rolling acres and had received rocks and hills instead.” Clearly, said settler was mighty disappointed.
Slaughterville, Oklahoma
Don’t worry, you’re safe in Slaughterville, Oklahoma. The town doesn’t even have a history of slaughtering animals for food. Rather, Slaughterville was named after a popular grocery store owned by none other than Mr. James Slaughter in the early 20th century. In 2004, PETA asked the town to change its name, because the organization felt “Slaughterville” sounded too much like animal abuse. However, the town council voted in a landslide to reject the motion.
Slickpoo, Idaho
Once a busy town, Slickpoo, Idaho is little more than a small village today. It was founded as a Catholic mission, and is said to have been given to the missionaries by a landowner named Josiah Slickpoo.
Smackover, Arkansas
Located in southern Arkansas, the small town of Smackover was once one of the country’s biggest oil producers. This fact leads to the theories that the town was named “Smackover” because of the legend that oil streamed “smack over the derrick” or “smack over the creek.” As entertaining as this legend is, the real story probably goes back a bit further. During the 1800s, French trappers spent a lot of time in the area. They called a local creek “sumac couvert,” which means “covering of sumac trees.”
Sweet Lips, Tennessee
It’s easy to think that Sweet Lips, Tennessee was named for someone’s wife or girlfriend, but no. Rather, the town was named for a nearby creek, which apparently tasted sweeter to some Civil War soldiers than others from which they’d taken drinks.
Unalaska, Alaska
No, the people who christened this town “Unalaska” weren’t anti-Alaska in any way, nor does the town feel any less Alaskan than any other place in The Last Frontier state. Rather, the local Aleut people originally called this area “Agunalaksh.” Perhaps not surprisingly, pronunciations and spellings of Agunalaksh got a little confused over the years. In the late 19th century, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names made an executive decision to simplify the original name, and it officially became Unalaska, Alaska.
Waterproof, Louisiana
You won’t need an umbrella on your way through Waterproof, Louisiana. The town was settled — and named — because it is one of the very few places along the Mississippi River which manages to avoid the occasional devastating flood. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been able to avoid devastating droughts. In 2008, Waterproof lost the vast majority of its corn crops due to too little rain.
Whynot, North Carolina
Apparently, the group of English and German settlers who settled Whynot, North Carolina had better things to do than come up with a really great name for their new town. According to legend, during a debate over the town name, one settler declared, “Why not name the town Whynot and let’s go home?” So they did exactly that. Interestingly, but perhaps not surprisingly, the same settlers also named the nearby towns of Lonely, Steeds, and Erect.
Woonsocket, Rhode Island
This Dr. Seuss-sounding name is surely one of the most fun town names on our list. Pronounced won-SOCK-it, this small town in Rhode Island is said to have been named for a Nipmuc Native American word. Exactly what that word is, however, is a little less clear. Popular ideas include “fox country,” “thunder mist (waterfall)”, and “at the fork of the river.” Still others believe it’s a combination of different tribe names. Whatever the story behind it, Woonsocket is definitely one of the funniest town in names in America.
Worms, Nebraska
Lots of towns around the world are named for local wildlife. Fortunately, Worms is not one of those towns. The best explanation out there is that Worms, Nebraska is actually named after Worms (pronounced ‘Verms’) in Germany, which itself was named after a Roman emperor’s nickname.