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.
North Dakotan
/ˌnɔːrθ dəˈkoʊtən/

Bismarck is the capital of North Dakota and sits on the east bank of the Missouri River in the south-central part of the state. North Dakota was admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889, as the 39th state. The city was named after Otto von Bismarck, the German chancellor, in an effort to attract German investment and settlers to the region. Bismarck is a center of state government and the energy industry, reflecting the importance of oil and agriculture to the regional economy. The surrounding landscape features prairie, Badlands, and Missouri River scenery that make the state a memorable stop for travelers. The city's Lewis and Clark history and riverside trails give visitors a sense of the Northern Plains' past, while its government buildings and growing economy show how the capital continues to shape the state's future.
Want to explore where North Dakotans live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
The name North Dakota comes from the Dakota Sioux word Dakota, meaning "allies" or "friends." The Dakota are one of the major divisions of the Sioux nation. The Dakota Territory was split into North and South Dakota in 1889.
North Dakota became the 39th state on November 2, 1889. The demonym North Dakotan is formed by adding -an to the state name.
The area's rich history is reflected in the remarkable people connected to it.
Strasburg, ND
Bandleader and TV personality, host of 'The Lawrence Welk Show'.
Jamestown, ND
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter known for her sultry vocals and hits like 'Fever'.
Minot, ND
Actor known for his roles in 'Transformers' and 'Las Vegas'.
Deer Lodge, MT (Raised in Williston, ND)
NBA player and legendary coach who won 11 championships as a coach.
Hibbing, MN (Raised in Fargo, ND)
MLB player who set the single-season home run record in 1961.
Jamestown, ND
Prolific author of Western novels and short stories.
Scranton, ND
Lawyer and diplomat who served as the 63rd U.S. Secretary of State.
Lemhi River Valley, ID (Lived in ND)
Shoshone woman who helped the Lewis and Clark Expedition achieve its goals.
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 North Dakotans 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