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.

Indianapolis is the capital of Indiana and the state's largest city, sitting near the geographic center of the state. Its name combines 'Indiana' with the Greek word 'polis', meaning city. The city became the state capital in 1825 and has grown into a major center of government, healthcare, and finance. Indianapolis is known as the 'Racing Capital of the World' because of the Indianapolis 500, the famous race held each year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The city is also a leader in amateur sports and is home to the headquarters of the NCAA. Its position at the crossroads of several major interstate highways has earned it the nickname 'Crossroads of America'. Its downtown canal and cultural district, along with its many parks and museums, make the city a lively place to spend time.
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Combination of 'Indiana' and the Greek word 'polis' meaning city; literally 'Indiana City'.
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.
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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