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.

Ivory Coast, known in French as Côte d'Ivoire, is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea. Its political capital is Yamoussoukro, while Abidjan is the largest city and main economic center. The country is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans, a crop that is central to its economy and to the livelihoods of millions of farmers. Abidjan is known for its French colonial architecture, modern skyline, and lively cultural scene. The name recalls the historic ivory trade that flourished along its coast when European traders arrived. French is the official language, and more than sixty indigenous languages are spoken across the country. Ivory Coast has experienced strong economic growth, and its cities blend traditional arts, music, and cuisine with contemporary influences. Visitors will discover a vibrant nation of diverse cultures and warm hospitality.
Want to explore where Ivorians live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Named 'Côte d'Ivoire' (Ivory Coast) by French traders for the ivory trade that flourished in the region.
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 Ivorians 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