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.

Denver is the capital of Colorado and sits on the high plains just east of the Rocky Mountains, at an elevation of 5,280 feet, which gives it the nickname the 'Mile High City'. Founded in 1858 during the Colorado Gold Rush and named for James W. Denver, the governor of the Kansas Territory, the city became the state capital in 1867 and has remained the center of Colorado government. Denver is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, and residents and visitors alike use it as a base for hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. The city's economy draws on aerospace, energy, and technology, and its downtown, cultural districts, and food scene have grown steadily in recent decades. Denver combines big-city amenities with easy access to some of the most dramatic alpine scenery in North America.
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Named after James W. Denver, the governor of the Kansas Territory at the time of the city's founding in 1858.
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 Denverites 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