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.

Augusta is the capital of Maine and sits on the Kennebec River in the central part of the state. The city is named after Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, the mother of King George III. It became the state capital in 1832, and the Maine State House, with its distinctive gold-leaf dome, anchors its government district. Augusta's historic architecture, including Federal and Victorian homes along the river, reflects its long history as a regional trade and shipping town. The city's economy is built on state government, healthcare, and commerce, serving a large area of central Maine. Its riverside setting and historic streets make Augusta a quiet but important point on the state's map. The Kennebec River, once a major route for logging and trade, still shapes the city's views and recreation. Visitors can explore the Maine State Museum, which covers the state's history.
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Named after Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, daughter of Frederick, Prince of Wales.
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 Augustans 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!
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Take a Quiz →Discover demonyms from other places in this region