Alabama is home to some of the most unusual and eyebrow-raising town names in the United States. These names are so quirky, confusing, or downright bizarre that even your GPS might second-guess itself. Here are ten standout examples:
1. Loachapoka
Pronounced “LOW-cha-POH-Kah,” this Lee County town is often cited as the hardest in Alabama to pronounce. Its name comes from a Creek word meaning “place where turtles are killed”.
2. Lick Skillet
This town’s name conjures up images of Southern cooking gone extreme. It’s a real place, and yes, people live there.
3. Slicklizzard
No, it’s not a typo. Slicklizzard is a tiny community with a name that sounds like a cartoon villain or a tongue-twister challenge.
4. Frog Eye
You’ll find this community in Tallapoosa County. The name is as odd as it is memorable-imagine telling someone you’re from Frog Eye, Alabama.
5. Bacon Level
Located near Roanoke, this town’s name sounds like a breakfast order or a video game achievement. It’s real, and it’s in Alabama.
6. Boar Tush
This one might make you do a double-take. Boar Tush is another example of Alabama’s wild approach to naming towns.
7. Dogtown
Simple, but confusing-especially if you’re expecting to see more canines than people. It’s one of several Alabama towns that make you wonder about the story behind the sign.
8. Blue Eye
A town with a name that sounds more like a trait than a place. It’s another that could trip up a GPS or a traveler.
9. Shorter
Despite its name, there’s nothing especially brief about this Macon County town. Its name is a nod to a former Alabama governor, not its size.
10. Brilliant
Originally named Boston, this Marion County town was renamed after the “Brilliant” Coal Company. The name is both literal and aspirational.
These names are just a sampling of Alabama’s rich tradition of memorable-and sometimes mystifying-place names. Whether you’re road-tripping or just browsing maps, these towns are sure to make you smile, scratch your head, or question your GPS’s sanity.
Sources:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBaIwnY2GaE
- https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/7-bizarrely-named-towns-in-alabama.html
- https://1051theblock.com/you-wont-believe-these-6-alabama-towns-actually-exist/
- https://wtug.com/alabama-towns-that-have-naughty-names/
- https://wtug.com/15-of-alabamas-hardest-to-pronounce-town-names/