Commenting on unique place names can be a tricky business as you risk alienating readers from the respective areas along with your inbox bulging with “What about here..?” and similar style emails. In dissecting the many weird and wonderful names across the globe I decided on two rules in advance, firstly that all the place names I selected would be free of double-entendres..well almost all. The 2nd steadfast rule I wished to adhere to is that they must be genuine place names, some are towns whilst others are unincorporated communities, all have wonderfully unique names.
Top Ten Most Wonderfully-Named Places On Earth
Boring (Maryland, USA)
Not as mundane-sounding as it’s name, Boring is named after one David Boring who was the postmaster in the tiny community.
Hold With Hope (Greenland)
Despite being in one of the coldest places on earth, Hold With Hope is welcomed with warmth to our list.
Last Chance (Colorado, USA.)
So named as it was once the final opportunity for travellers to get supplies for many a mile, this wonderfully-named area must surely have a saloon?
Hell (Michigan, USA).
Taking “Name it Hell for all I care” to extremes, this town is now popular for novelty-seeking visitors with presumably “I’ve been to Hell and back” style shirts and memorabilia.
Disappointment Island (New Zealand).
This is an uninhabited island not far from Auckland Island, New Zealand. I imagine it is uninhabited as selling real estate on a place called Disappointment Island would be a hard-sell for the even the most experienced of salesmen.
Great Snoring (England).
This tiny village in England lies two miles from the equally wonderfully-named Little Snoring. Sleepy little villages indeed.
Ordinary ( Kentucky, USA.)
If there was a new town to be founded near Ordinary, it would surely have to be called Extraordinary, right?
Lord Berkeley’s Knob (Scotland)
You would not want to pull over and ask directions on how to get there would you? Me neither.
Two Egg (Florida, USA)
In America’s sunshine state you can visit Two Egg, sunny side up.
What Cheer (Iowa, USA)
This happy-sounding town rounds off our list and get’s three cheers from me.