One-word descriptive city names

[Buckeye Native 001]

Isn't Milwaukee Algonquin for "the good land"?

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Native 001

Isn't Milwaukee Algonquin for "the good land"?

Yes, if you believe Alice Cooper.

And you should always believe Alice Cooper.

He's a rock star.



Fun fact: Chicago and Milwaukee are the 1st and 3rd largest US cities with native american language derived names (Seattle is #2).

[SIGSEGV]

Some others, of varying quality (some of these are tiny tiny places, and one is fictional):

Dinosaur, CO
Caribou, ME
Bridge, OR
Terrace, BC
Salmon, ID
Cobalt, ID
Mercury, NV
Quahog, RI

[JManc]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

"Chicago" is an English derivation of a French derivation, "Checagou", of the indigenous Algonquian word "Shikaakwa" which was the native name for a type of wild onion (Allium tricoccum) that once grew abundantly in the area where the Chicago River emptied into Lake Michigan. The river first took its name from the plant, and then the city that was later founded there took its name from the river.

but it all goes back to this:


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium_tricoccum

You mean it's not named after the band?

• Video Link

[craigs]

There are a bunch of them in California. Some are straight up English, others are hybrid but were coined and officially named by English speakers. Off the top of my head: Farmington, Foresthill, Hayfork, Isleton, Lakeshore, Mineral, Oakland, Oroville, Placerville, Riverbank, Tollhouse. And nothing beats Vacaville--"cowtown!"

[harryc]

Carmichael Ca ?? - The anglicized version of the Scottish St Michaels Church on the Hill. [ Mr. Cromwell removed the Church from the hill back in the old country ].

[MolsonExport]

Dildo, Newfoundland. Steely Dan (the group, not the forumer) obtained their name from a dildo in William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch.

[pj3000]

Canyon, Texas- because it’s near Palo Duro canyon
Plains, Georgia - because flat plains characterize the terrain
Poop, Mexico - because it’s where Montezuma’s Revenge originated
Levelland, Texas - because the land is level
Beaver, Pennsylvania - because there’s lots of beaver there
Liberal, Kansas - because that’s where all them damn liberals come from
Buffalo, New York - because that’s where the extinct Lake Erie Water Buffalo used to roam
Hooker, Oklahoma - because it is the home of the first known instance of prostitution
Eden, North Carolina - because it’s the place where Adam and Eve frolicked in a garden
Shoreline, Washington - because it’s located on the shore of Puget Sound
Cumbum, India - self explanatory

[bobdreamz]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Dildo, Newfoundland. Steely Dan (the group, not the forumer) obtained their name from a dildo in William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch.

Didn't Jimmy Kimmel make this place famous and the town made him honorary Mayor?

[biguc]

^All I know is they misspelled "Cuntry Craving" on the sign back there.



Winnipeg means muddy waters in Cree. The rivers there are brown as shit.

[Pedestrian]

Originally Posted by xzmattzx

In Irish, but in Ireland, so effectively in a local language. Sorry, I thought I was clearer about similar one-word cities in English in the Anglosphere.

Until the 1840s, CA was in "New Spain" when the places with Spanish names were given them so what's the difference?

[muertecaza]

There are a bunch in Arizona. OP mentioned Mesa. Others include tree towns (Cottonwood, Pine, Pinetop), rivers/streams/lakes (Queen Creek, Whiteriver, Lakeside, Gila Bend), native ruins (Casa Grande).

But the best and most descriptive: Nothing, AZ.

[Pedestrian]

Originally Posted by muertecaza

There are a bunch in Arizona. OP mentioned Mesa. Others include tree towns (Cottonwood, Pine, Pinetop), rivers/streams/lakes (Queen Creek, Whiteriver, Lakeside, Gila Bend), native ruins (Casa Grande).

But the best and most descriptive: Nothing, AZ.

My fave in AZ has always been Snowflake.

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

My fave in AZ has always been Snowflake.

This one is next level for this thread, because while it sounds descriptive of something in nature, it's actually a combination of the last names of two early settlers, Erastus Snow and William Flake.

[harryc]

Metropolis Ill.

[BigDipper 80]

I can't confirm if Hell is actually located in Hell, Michigan, but it wouldn't surprise me.

[jbermingham123]

I grew up in Great Falls, MT, which we sometimes refer to as "not-so-great Falls"

and I have a friend from Castle Rock, CO, which locals refer to as "Castle doesnt rock"

those arent one-word descriptors though

[harryc]

Originally Posted by jbermingham123

I grew up in Great Falls, MT, which we sometimes refer to as "not-so-great Falls"

and I have a friend from Castle Rock, CO, which locals refer to as "Castle doesnt rock"

those arent one-word descriptors though

Hope Indiana

And in the vein of not living up to your name

Zion Ill.
Nauvoo Ill.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by JManc

You mean it's not named after the band?

• Video Link

I think the city name came first.


Tangentially, other than Boston and Chicago (the two obvious ones), have any other bands adopted the name of their hometown as their own?

Is there a band named "Jacksonville" that I've just never heard of before? I hope so, because they're probably much better than "Toronto".

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

I think the city name came first.


Tangentially, other than Boston and Chicago (the two obvious ones), have any other bands adopted the name of their hometown as their own?

Is there a band named "Jacksonville" that I've just never heard of before?

The jazz group Oregon comes to mind.