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.
New Hampshirite
/njuː ˈhæmpʃərˌaɪt/

Concord is the capital of New Hampshire and sits on the Merrimack River in the south-central part of the state. New Hampshire was admitted to the Union on June 21, 1788, as the 9th state, which made it the state that put the Constitution into effect. The city became the capital in 1808 and has remained the seat of state government. New Hampshire is known for holding the first presidential primary in the nation, which gives Concord and the state an outsized role in national politics. The White Mountains draw hikers and tourists from across the region, and the state's scenic lakes and forests add to its appeal. Concord's historic downtown, the New Hampshire State House, and the surrounding granite-rich landscape reflect a capital that combines civic tradition with the natural beauty of New England.
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The name New Hampshire honors the English county of Hampshire. Captain John Mason, who received a land grant for the region in 1629, named it after his home county in southern England.
New Hampshire was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and became the 9th state on June 21, 1788. The demonym New Hampshirite is formed by adding -ite to the state name, a less common but traditional English suffix for demonyms.
This place has been connected to many influential figures throughout history.
Hillsborough, New Hampshire
The 14th President of the United States, who served from 1853 to 1857.
Salisbury, New Hampshire
An influential statesman and orator who served as U.S. Secretary of State and in both houses of Congress.
Derry, New Hampshire
The first American to travel into space and the fifth person to walk on the Moon.
Boston, Massachusetts (Lived in Concord, New Hampshire)
A teacher and astronaut who was one of the seven crew members killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Brooklyn, New York (Raised in Manchester, New Hampshire)
A comedian, actor, and filmmaker who was a cast member on 'Saturday Night Live' before starring in many Hollywood films.
Evanston, Illinois (Raised in Bedford, New Hampshire)
A comedian and television host who is the host of 'Late Night with Seth Meyers.'
Bedford, New Hampshire
A comedian, actress, and writer known for her satirical comedy.
Exeter, New Hampshire
A best-selling author known for his thriller novels, including 'The Da Vinci Code.'
Other places in the region and their demonyms
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Want to explore where New Hampshirites live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
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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