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.

Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania and sits on the Susquehanna River in the south-central part of the state. The city was named after John Harris Sr., an early settler and trader who founded the community, and it became the state capital in 1812. Harrisburg is a major transportation hub, with rail lines and highways that connect the state's east and west. The city's history includes a central role in the Civil War, and the nearby Gettysburg battlefield, where the great battle was fought in 1863, draws visitors from around the world. Today Harrisburg is the seat of state government, and its riverfront parks and historic Capitol complex form the heart of the city. The city's Broad Street Market, a historic public market, is a longtime gathering place for local residents.
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Named after John Harris Sr., an early settler and trader.
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 Harrisburgers 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