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.
Burkinabe
/bərˌkiːnəˈbeɪ/

Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation in West Africa, located within the Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert. Its capital city is Ouagadougou, a busy urban center that serves as the country's administrative, commercial, and cultural heart. The economy relies heavily on agriculture, with cotton production and gold mining making significant contributions to exports. Traditional crafts such as woven textiles, wood carving, and pottery reflect the creativity of its many ethnic communities. Burkina Faso has built a notable cultural reputation, particularly through its film industry, which is among the most active on the continent. The biennial FESPACO film festival, held in Ouagadougou, celebrates African cinema and draws filmmakers, critics, and audiences from around the world. Its name, combining Mooré and Dioula words, is often translated as the land of upright people, a phrase that reflects the nation's proud identity.
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From Mooré 'burkina' (honest/upright) and Dioula 'faso' (fatherland), meaning 'land of upright people'.
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 Burkinabes 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