Most cities in the United States have easily explainable names: They were named during the colonial era after European cities or their royal leaders. Or they were named after the European settlers who claimed the land.
However, some city names are downright bizarre. A few are the result of local legends, others from mistakes, and some even from marketing stunts. That’sThem looked at the weirdest town names across the United States, with details about the stories behind them and who lives there today.
1. Accident, Maryland
There are two competing stories about Accident, Maryland. According to Preservation Maryland, both date back to 1774, when land in Western Maryland was up for claim by settlers. One story says that two friends, Brooke Beall and Williams Deakins Jr., both set out to survey land and claim their stake. Apparently, both parties had claimed the same piece of land “by accident.” Beall agreed to take another plot.
Another version of the story is that a man named George Deakins was told by King George II that he could have any 600 acres of land in Western Maryland. Deakins sent out two men to find the best plot, and surprisingly, both came back with the same tract of land. Deakins chalked it up to a coincidence, but was happy with the results. From there, it was said he called it the “Accident Tract,” and the name of the town stuck.
Today, residents here are called “Accidentals.” It’s a small town with only about 400 residents.
2. Toad Suck, Arkansas
According to ArkansasTV, the town of Toad Suck got its name from the steamboat days. Back then, boats used to navigate up and down the Arkansas River that passed through the area. It was common for water levels to drop from time to time, so crews would dock their boats and head into town.
One specific tavern was a magnet for these boat crews. Locals described instances of them drinking and relaxing at the tavern all day long, “sucking on the bottle ‘til they swelled up like toads.” No one is sure if this is true, but regardless, the name is still around.
Toad Suck is technically an unincorporated town, so there’s no official census data on it. However, thousands descend on the town every year for the annual Toad Suck Daze, a local festival that’s organized to raise money for local education.
3. Ding Dong, Texas
The unincorporated town of Ding Dong, Texas, has a less mysterious origin. The story is well documented. In the 1930s, two cousins, Zulis and Isaac Bell, operated a small country store along the Lampasas River. People frequently traveled this route, so the two cousins decided they wanted to make a store sign to encourage people to stop.
An artist named C.C. Hoover was hired. Playing off the two cousins’ last name, he decided to add two bells to the sign. Another local store owner suggested it would be funny if the artist added “Ding Dong” to the sign. He did, and the name has never changed since.
Although it’s also an unincorporated town, Ding Dong has a small registered population. In 2000, it had a whopping 22 residents.
4. Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Would you ever think that a town would be renamed because of a radio show contest? Well, that’s exactly what happened in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
At the time, the town was named Hot Springs. But in 1950, a radio producer named Ralph Edwards held a radio contest on his game show, Truth or Consequences. He announced that he would broadcast the show’s 10th anniversary from the first town to rename itself after the show. Residents in the town voted to officially change the name, and the radio show was broadcast from it. According to Time, the name never reverted, and in 1967, residents voted to make it permanent.
This is one of the larger towns on this list, with around 6,000 residents today.
5. Zzyzx, California
Zzyzx was never an official town. It was the creation of a self-proclaimed minister from Los Angeles who claimed that the mineral springs in the Mojave Desert were the perfect spot for a spa and health resort. He filed a mining claim with the government for 12,800 acres of land and named the parcel the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Resort. There were no natural hot springs; they were all artificially heated by a hidden boiler.
He named it Zzyzx intentionally and strategically. It was the last listing to appear in any directory, making it a savvy marketing ploy. The resort did find success and, at one time, had a 60-room hotel, church, and airstrip. But in 1974, the government decided that the minister had no claim to the land.
Today, Zzyzx is managed by the California State University System. It has a population of one: the manager of the Desert Studies Center.
A Lasting Legacy
As weird as these names may be, they’re officially recognized places by the U.S. government. They portray regional character, tell stories that won’t be forgotten, and offer a unique glimpse into the country's history.
The next time you’re driving through a new region, pay attention to the names of the towns you pass. There might be more to them than you realize.
This story was produced by That’sThem and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.