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.

Springfield is the capital of Illinois and sits in the central part of the state near the Sangamon River. The city became the state capital in 1839, and it is closely tied to Abraham Lincoln, who practiced law here and lived in the city before he became president. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum draws visitors from around the world to explore his life and legacy. Springfield's historic district includes the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, where the Lincoln family lived. Today the city is the center of Illinois state government, and its Lincoln heritage tourism gives it a national profile that complements its role as a seat of public administration. The city's downtown, historic neighborhoods, and museums give visitors a clear sense of its 19th-century roots. Its quiet, tree-lined streets and historic homes reflect a city proud of its heritage.
Want to explore where Springfieldians live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
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Named for the natural springs and fields in the area.
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 Springfieldians 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