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.

Naples is the third largest city in Italy and the capital of the Campania region, lying on the sunny Bay of Naples in southern Italy. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city has a history stretching back more than 2,500 years, having been founded by Greek settlers. Naples is famous as the birthplace of pizza, and its rich culinary traditions include fresh seafood, pastries, and street food that draw visitors from around the world. Mount Vesuvius rises to the southeast of the city, a reminder of the volcanic landscape and of the nearby ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Naples also boasts beautiful baroque churches, grand palaces, and lively street life, with markets, music, and neighborhoods full of character. It is a vibrant cultural destination in southern Italy.
Want to explore where Neapolitans live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
From Greek 'Neapolis', meaning 'new city', founded by Greek settlers in the 6th century BC.
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 Neapolitans 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 →