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.
Brummie

Birmingham is a major city in the West Midlands of England and the largest city in the region, known for its industrial heritage and diverse population. The city was a center of manufacturing that helped drive the Industrial Revolution, producing metalwork, jewelry, and engineering goods that were sold around the world. Locally, residents are often called Brummies, a name linked to the historic form of the city's name, Brummagem. Birmingham is known for its extensive canal network, which gives the city a surprisingly large number of waterways, and for landmarks such as the Bullring shopping center and the Birmingham Town Hall. The city has a thriving music and arts scene, with theaters, museums, and festivals, as well as a vibrant food culture reflecting its many communities. Birmingham is a dynamic hub of commerce, culture, and innovation.
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Brummie is a local demonym associated with Birmingham and its historic name, Brummagem.
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 Brummies live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
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