15 Places That Don't Mean What You Think: Explained
Discover 15 places that don't mean what you think—from Paris, Texas to Greenland—and the surprising stories behind their misleading names.

Annapolis is the capital of Maryland and sits on the Severn River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay. Founded in 1649, it was named after Princess Anne of Denmark, who later became Queen Anne of Great Britain. The city has been Maryland's seat of government since 1694, and it is the only state capital with a major colonial-era downtown still largely intact. Annapolis is home to the United States Naval Academy, which shapes the city's character and its close ties to the military. Its maritime heritage runs deep, and sailing is a central part of local life, with boats filling the harbor year-round. Visitors come to walk the historic streets, tour the State House, and enjoy the waterfront. The city's walkable Main Street and its many waterfront restaurants and shops add to its appeal.
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Named after Princess Anne of Denmark, who later became Queen Anne of Great Britain.
Other places in the region and their demonyms
Discover 15 places that don't mean what you think—from Paris, Texas to Greenland—and the surprising stories behind their misleading names.
From Montenegro to Naples, these 20 place names that were literally translated show how languages rebuild geography — and what the originals mean.
Want to explore where Annapolitans live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
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Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!
Take a Quiz →Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!
Take a Quiz →Discover demonyms from other places in this region