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.
Little Rockian
/ˈlɪtəl ˈrɑːkiən/

Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas and sits on the south bank of the Arkansas River, where a small rock outcropping gave the city its name. Travelers used the rock as a landmark, and the settlement became the territorial capital in 1821 and the state capital in 1836. The city holds an important place in American civil rights history: in 1957 nine Black students, later known as the Little Rock Nine, were blocked from entering Central High School until federal troops were sent to enforce desegregation. The school is now preserved as a national historic site. Today the city is home to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library, which sits on the riverfront, and it serves as the economic and cultural center of the state, with strong sectors in healthcare, government, and finance. Its downtown, parks, and river trails draw both locals and visitors.
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Named after a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River used as a landmark by travelers.
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Want to explore where Little Rockians live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
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Take a Quiz →Discover demonyms from other places in this region