1. Intercourse, Pennsylvania
Let’s just get the most famously awkward name out of the way. Intercourse, Pennsylvania, is smack in the middle of Amish Country, and its name has drawn giggles for decades. But the town’s vibe is more wholesome than you’d expect—think buggy rides, handmade quilts, and shoofly pie, Chris Rodell of NBC News explains. It was originally called “Cross Keys” but got its current name in 1814, possibly referring to fellowship and social interaction, not what you’re thinking.
Despite the name, there’s nothing risqué about the place. Tourists flock here for traditional crafts, cozy bed-and-breakfasts, and an old-world sense of calm. It’s one of those spots where time feels slower (in a good way), and everyone’s just genuinely kind. The juxtaposition of the name and the setting is what makes it so oddly delightful.
2. Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Yep, that’s the real name of a town. It was originally called Hot Springs, but in 1950, it changed its name after a radio show (literally called “Truth or Consequences”) promised to broadcast from the first town to rename itself after the show. They won, and the name stuck—because why not?
The vibe? Think desert mysticism meets 1950s Americana kitsch, Lew Blank of Atlas Obscura explains. With natural hot springs, quirky art galleries, and ghost-town energy, T or C (as locals call it) is both soothing and a little strange. It’s the kind of place where you wouldn’t be shocked to stumble into a crystal healing shop inside an old diner.
3. Boring, Oregon
Boring is anything but boring—just ask the people who live there. The town was named after William H. Boring, a Civil War veteran, not because of its vibe (though it is quiet). Boring even teamed up with Dull, Scotland, and Bland, Australia, to form the “League of Extraordinary Communities,” Graeme Ogston of the BBC shares. No, seriously.
The town leans into the irony with festivals, themed T-shirts, and signs that make for great Instagram content. It’s close to Portland, so you get a quirky mix of hipster escapees and lifelong locals. The best part is that the town knows its name makes people laugh—and embraces it. So it ends up being pretty memorable for a supposedly “forgettable” name.
4. Santa Claus, Indiana
This town is obsessed with Christmas—365 days a year. Named Santa Claus in the mid-1800s (after a rejected application for the name “Santa Fe”), it now leans hard into the holiday branding. Streets are named things like Candy Cane Lane and Christmas Boulevard, and there’s a Santa Claus Museum, of course.
You’ll find a massive theme park called Holiday World, where every section is dedicated to a different holiday (but Christmas definitely dominates). The town even has its own post office that gets flooded with “Dear Santa” letters each year. Locals take the Christmas spirit very seriously—many decorate year-round, Carly Caramanna of Travel + Leisure explains. It’s cheerful, slightly surreal, and 100% committed to the bit.
5. Accident, Maryland
Yes, Accident is a real place, and yes, it got its name by accident. The story goes that in the 1700s, two land surveyors accidentally chose the same plot of land to claim—and thus the name stuck. With under 400 residents, it’s one of those blink-and-you-miss-it towns.
But the vibe? Charming, low-key, and just odd enough to make you curious. The town sign alone is worth a photo op (“Welcome to Accident!”). It’s nestled in the mountains of western Maryland, offering a quiet, rustic escape with just the right touch of unintentional humor.
6. Hell, Michigan
This one really leans into the devilish theme. Hell, Michigan, is tiny—just a blip on the map—but it’s embraced its infernal name with open arms. You can get “married in Hell,” buy “Hell-themed” souvenirs, and even become the unofficial mayor of Hell for a day.
Despite the ominous name, the vibe is pure kitsch. Think Halloween 24/7, with ice cream shops named “Screams” and fiery hot sauces galore. It’s become a biker stop, a Halloween favorite, and an oddly welcoming slice of the weird Midwest. Honestly, Hell has never been so fun.
7. Nothing, Arizona
There’s nothing in Nothing, and that’s kind of the point. Located along a lonely stretch of Arizona highway, this town was founded in the 1970s as a joke and later abandoned. The only remaining building is a small shack with graffiti that reads, “The staunch citizens of Nothing are full of hope, faith, and belief in this town named by accident.”
The surreal desert backdrop gives it a post-apocalyptic vibe. Occasionally, people stop to take photos, or even hold impromptu music videos or art projects there. There’s an eerie peace to the place—it feels like the punchline of a cosmic joke. And yet, you kind of want to go.
8. Dummer, New Hampshire
This small town in northern New Hampshire has a name that makes every passing tourist do a double take. It’s named after William Dummer, an early governor of Massachusetts, not someone who failed a spelling test. But that hasn’t stopped people from poking fun at it.
Dummer’s vibe is rugged and woodsy, with vast tracts of forest and rivers perfect for fishing or snowmobiling. It’s a quiet place where nature overshadows the chuckle-worthy name. But the contrast between the peaceful, outdoorsy charm and the goofy label just makes it more endearing. Plus, locals seem to have a great sense of humor about it.
9. Chicken, Alaska
Chicken got its name because early gold miners wanted to name it after the state bird, the ptarmigan—but no one could spell ptarmigan. So they went with “Chicken” instead. The town has fewer than a dozen year-round residents, but during summer, it fills up with tourists and quirky Alaskan charm.
You’ll find a giant chicken statue, the Chickenstock music festival, and a saloon where they serve chicken pot pie, of course. The entire town runs on generators and grit, and it’s only accessible by plane or a rough road. But that off-the-grid, feather-themed weirdness is what makes Chicken cluck along in its own wild way. It’s remote, resilient, and just ridiculous enough to be legendary.
10. Whynot, North Carolina
Why not call a town Whynot? That’s exactly what happened when a group of settlers in the 1800s couldn’t agree on a name. After days of debating, one reportedly said, “Why not name it Whynot and let’s go home?” And so, they did.
Whynot is nestled in the heart of pottery country in Randolph County, and it’s famous for its handmade ceramics and Southern charm. The name draws curious travelers, but the real vibe is warm, artsy, and surprisingly sophisticated. It’s proof that even a joking name can stick—and shape a community’s identity in the process.
11. Zzyzx, California
Zzyzx (pronounced “Zye-zix”) might be the last word in the dictionary—and it was meant to be. The name was created in 1944 by Curtis Howe Springer, a radio evangelist who founded a supposed health spa there and wanted a name that would be “the last word” in wellness. The spa eventually got shut down by the government, but the name remains.
Located in the Mojave Desert, Zzyzx now serves as a desert research station and a curiosity for passing travelers on I-15. The vibe is haunting—empty mineral springs, abandoned buildings, and surreal desert beauty. You get the feeling you’ve stumbled onto the set of a sci-fi movie. It’s weird, windswept, and oddly fascinating.
12. Toad Suck, Arkansas
Yes, that’s a real name—and no, it doesn’t mean what you think. The origin story is hazy, but the most popular tale is that it came from riverboat crews who would “suck on bottles ’til they swelled up like toads” when stuck waiting for river levels to rise. Whether or not that’s true, the town now hosts the annual Toad Suck Daze festival.
It’s a family-friendly event with music, food, and yes—plenty of frog-themed fun. The name is undeniably silly, but the community vibes are pure Southern hospitality. People come for the novelty, but they stay for the warm welcome and festive energy. It’s the kind of place where everyone’s in on the joke.
13. Booger Hole, West Virginia
Booger Hole is spooky just from the name—and the legend backs it up. According to local lore, the area saw a rash of mysterious murders and disappearances in the early 1900s. Locals blamed the “boogers” (a local word for ghosts or monsters), and the name stuck.
Today, Booger Hole is little more than a rural crossroads, but the creepy energy lingers. It’s popular with ghost hunters and lovers of Appalachian folklore. There’s not much to see—but that’s part of the allure. It feels like a forgotten pocket of eerie Americana, where the past still whispers through the trees.
