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.

Kandahar is the second-largest city in Afghanistan and an important urban center in the south of the country. Its history is ancient, and it was founded by Alexander the Great, who established a city in the region during his campaigns. Kandahar is an important trading hub, with bazaars and transport routes linking southern Afghanistan with neighboring regions. The city is known for its production of pomegranates and grapes, fruits that have long been prized in local markets. Kandahar is also significant in the country's political history, as it was the spiritual birthplace of the Taliban movement. Its agricultural richness and historic roots continue to shape its identity. Its bazaars, mosques, and the Kherqa-e Sharif shrine reflect the region's long religious and cultural traditions.
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From ancient 'Alexandria in Arachosia', founded by Alexander the Great. The demonym is 'Kandahari'.
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 Kandaharis 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