There are many travel destinations around the world with funny, weird and unfortunate names.
From Europe to the USA to Australia, some names provoke laughter, curiosity or sometimes even confusion. With that being said, independent travel agency Iglu Cruise has revealed a list of the funniest and most bizarre destination names around the world.
Have you visited any of them?
Eggs and Bacon Bay – Tasmania, Australia
Located around 30 miles from Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, Eggs and Bacon Bay is a community within the Huon Valley. The unusual name is said to originate from the yellow and streaky red flowers that grow in the area, looking like eggs and bacon. However, back in 2016, animal rights activists unsuccessfully lobbied to change the name to Apple and Cherry Bay, to promote a healthier lifestyle. The area is famous for its beautiful beaches and scenic walks.
Drama – Macedonia, Greece
Drama is a city in northern Greece with a population of just over 44,000 people. It is thought that in ancient times the city was called Dyrama, meaning “rich in water”. Over time, this became Drama. Like many Greek cities, Drama is rich in history, with many ancient theatres and archaeological museums, making it a great destination for history lovers.
Boring – Vejle, Denmark
Boring is a small town in central Denmark, in the Vejli province. Whilst in English the town has quite an unfortunate name, when translated into the Danish language it means “drilling”. With only a small population and few houses and businesses, the town name can be taken quite literally by some people. If you’re looking for something a bit more exciting, you can get to Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city in under an hour from Boring.
Center of the World – Ohio, USA
Located in Trumbull County, Ohio, Center of the World is a small community consisting of a few houses and shops, found at the crossroads of state Routes 82 and 5. It is said the town was founded in the early 1800s by an eccentric investor called Randall Wilmot who had plans for the area to become a major economic epicentre in Ohio. However, railroads were never connected to the area and the town quickly declined in population and popularity. If visiting, make sure to get a selfie with the famous “Center of the World” sign.
Angers – Pays de la Loire, France
In western France, you can visit the city of Angers. The origins of the name can be traced back to AD 400, when it was referred to as “civitas Andecavorum”. Over time, the Latin name developed into modern language and by 1205 it was called “Angeus”, before eventually becoming Angers. Today, the city is filled with beautiful gardens and parks, as well as being famous for delicious Loire Valley wines.
Monster – South Holland, Netherlands
If you’re looking for somewhere to travel to for Halloween, you could try Monster, Netherlands, a small village in the province of South Holland. This town is built upon holy origins where the area was once a place for pilgrimages. It is thought the name derived from either the Latin for “monastery”, monasterium, or Latin for “big church”, monstrum. You can visit Monster in just under 30 minutes from the Hague, so it’s worth checking out if you’re in the area.
Santa Claus – Indiana, USA
If you’re a Christmas fan, you could try visiting Santa Claus, Indiana, home to almost 3,000 people. The town was established in 1854 under the name Santa Fe, however, had to change its name as there was already a Santa Fe in Indiana. After several town meetings, Santa Claus was chosen as the new official name. Because of this popular name, the town post office receives thousands of letters to Santa from all over the world each year. A group of volunteers, known as Santa’s Elves, ensures each child receives a reply from Santa Claus.
Christmas Pie – Surrey, UK
Another festive destination closer to home is Christmas Pie, a small hamlet in Normandy, Surrey. The name for Christmas Pie can be attributed to the Christmas family, a wealthy family who lived and owned property in the area during the 1500s during the reign of Henry VIII. The “Pie” part comes from the Saxon term “pightel” or “pightle” meaning a small piece of arable land. The hamlet also includes Christmas Pie Avenue, which Royal Mail once called the most festive street name in the UK. As you can imagine, the area gets quite popular in December.
Pity Me – Durham, UK
Pity Me is a suburban village in Durham County, UK. There has been some dispute over the origin of the name, however, it is believed to have come from the French Petit Mer, meaning small sea. The other suggestion is that it may be named for the cry of ‘Miserere mei, Deus’, translated as ‘Pity Me, O God’, which monks made as they fled from Viking raiders.
Bald Head – Maine, USA
Bald Head is a village located in York County, southern Maine on the Atlantic coast. It got its name from rock formations on the beach becoming worn down to resemble a bald head. The area is popular with nature lovers and there is a scenic walk in the area called Bald Head Trail, which takes just over an hour to complete. Just over an hour from Boston, the area is worth visiting on a trip to New England.
Nasty – Hertfordshire, UK
Nasty is a hamlet in Hertfordshire county, in the East of England. The unique name comes from the Anglo-Saxon “æt þǽm éastan hæge”, meaning “at the eastern hedged enclosure” or similar. Despite the unfortunate name, the hamlet is filled with beautiful cottages, and quiet streets, as well as a farm shop and cafe.
No Name – Colorado, USA
In Colorado, USA, it appears this town doesn’t have a name. No Name can be found in Garfield County, with only a small population of just over 100 people. There are numerous stories about how the town got its name, but the most widely accepted one is that the state sent out questionnaires to name the town and the majority of inhabitants wrote “No Name”. Despite attempts to change it, the name has remained the same.
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