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.

Iran, formerly known as Persia, is a large country in West Asia with one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. Its capital city is Tehran, a sprawling metropolis set against the backdrop of the Alborz Mountains. Iran is an Islamic republic with a theocratic government in which clerical institutions hold significant authority alongside elected bodies. The country is a major regional power with substantial oil and natural gas reserves that play a central role in its economy. Its rich cultural heritage includes Persian art, classical poetry, and architecture, from the ancient ruins of Persepolis to the tiled mosques of Isfahan. The name Iran is traditionally linked to the word Aryan, meaning land of the Aryans. Travelers are drawn by its hospitality, gardens, and historic bazaars.
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From 'Aryan', meaning 'land of the Aryans'. Formerly known as Persia. 'Iranian' is the demonym.
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 Iranians 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