Canada is world-renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, polite locals, and maple syrup.
But look closer at the map, and you’ll find a treasure trove of bizarre, hilarious, and downright confusing geography.
From “Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump” to “Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!,” the Great White North is hiding a sense of humor as vast as its wilderness.
Let’s explore the weirdest, wildest, and most wonderful names this country has to offer.
The Joy of Choosing Funny Place Names in Canada
- Spark Curiosity: Quirky names like “Dildo” in Newfoundland or “Bacon Ridge” in Manitoba immediately grab attention.
- Create Conversations: These names ignite laughter and stories, making locals and travelers connect.
- Celebrate Heritage: Many names honor history or traditional tales, creating intrigue.
- Boost Tourism: Unique names become memorable stops, fueling adventures.
Canada’s funny place names aren’t just labels—they’re invitations to explore and smile!
Funny & Creative Place Names in Canada
1. Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!
The only town name in the world with two exclamation points, derived from an archaic French term for a dead end.
2. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
A UNESCO World Heritage site in Alberta named after a legendary hunting method used by Indigenous peoples.
3. Punkeydoodles Corners
A rural hamlet in Ontario with a name rumored to come from a pumpkin-growing innkeeper who hummed “Yankee Doodle.”
4. Forget
Located in Saskatchewan, this village is ironically named after Amédée E. Forget, ensuring nobody remembers to pronounce it correctly (it’s “For-jay”).
5. Blow Me Down
A Provincial Park in Newfoundland named for the incredibly strong winds that whip off the mountains.
6. Jerry’s Nose
A small community in Newfoundland, supposedly named after a resident named Jerry with a particularly prominent nose.
7. Skookumchuck
A British Columbia town named from the Chinook Jargon term meaning “strong water” or “rapids.”
8. Spuzzum
Often referred to as “beyond Hope” (since it is geographically past the town of Hope, BC).
9. Leading Tickles
A coastal town in Newfoundland; “tickles” refers to a narrow strait of water between two landmasses.
10. Goobies
A community in Newfoundland that sounds like a candy but is actually a transit stop on the Trans-Canada Highway.
11. Flin Flon
Named after the fictional character Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin from the paperback novel The Sunless City.
12. Likely
A small town in BC that was “likely” to have gold during the rush, remaining a hopeful spot on the map.
13. Hagensborg
A sleepy, scenic community in the Bella Coola Valley with a name that sounds like a fantasy villain’s fortress.
14. Bacon Cove
Who wouldn’t want to live here? A delicious-sounding spot located in Newfoundland and Labrador.
15. Eyebrow
A Saskatchewan village named for the shape of a nearby hill that resembles a distinct brow above the eye of a lake.
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Scottish Place Names in Canada
1. Nova Scotia
Literally Latin for “New Scotland,” this entire province is the ultimate tribute to Scottish heritage.
2. Glengarry
An Ontario county named after the Glen of Garry in Inverness-shire, famous for its Highland games.
3. Aberdeen
Named after the granite city in Scotland, this Nova Scotian town reflects the strong Scottish roots of the Maritimes.
4. Dundee
A name found in New Brunswick and Quebec, echoing the coastal city in eastern Scotland.
5. Inverness
Located in Cape Breton, known for its sandy beaches and world-class golf, mirroring the cultural capital of the Highlands.
6. Strathmore
An Alberta town named by a railroad official after the Valley of Strathmore in Scotland.
7. Banff
Named after Banffshire, Scotland, this is the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies.
8. Calgary
Named after Calgary on the Isle of Mull, Scotland; the word means “bay of the farm” in Old Norse.
9. Arnprior
Named after the ancestral home of the Buchanan family in Scotland, located in Eastern Ontario.
10. Selkirk
Named for Thomas Douglas, the 5th Earl of Selkirk, who sponsored immigrant settlements in Manitoba.
11. Perth
A picturesque town in Ontario named after the city and Royal Burgh in central Scotland.
12. Paisley
An Ontario village named after the Scottish town famous for its weaving and pattern designs.
13. Kincardine
Located on Lake Huron, named after the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, a former Governor General.
14. Ayr
A community in Ontario named after the town in southwest Scotland, the birthplace of Robert Burns.
15. Iona
Named after the small island in the Inner Hebrides known for its abbey and tranquility.
Native Place Names in Canada
1. Winnipeg
From the Cree words for “muddy water,” referring to the silt-filled Lake Winnipeg north of the city.
2. Saskatoon
Named after the Cree word misâskwatômina, which refers to the sweet, violet-colored berries native to the area.
3. Toronto
Derived from the Mohawk word tkaronto, meaning “where there are trees standing in the water.”
4. Ottawa
Derived from the Algonquin word adawe, meaning “to trade,” highlighting its history as a riverside meeting place.
5. Quebec
From the Algonquin word kébec, meaning “where the river narrows,” referring to the St. Lawrence River.
6. Iqaluit
Means “place of many fish” in Inuktitut, serving as the capital city of the territory of Nunavut.
7. Coquitlam
Derived from the Coast Salish term Kwikwetlem, meaning “small red salmon,” referring to the fish in the river.
8. Kamloops
From the Shuswap word Tk’emlúps, meaning “meeting of the waters,” where the North and South Thompson rivers join.
9. Etobicoke
Derived from the Mississauga word wadoopikaang, meaning “place where the alders grow.”
10. Nanaimo
Anglicized from the Sne-ney-moux First Nation name, meaning “gathering place” or “great and mighty people.”
11. Okanagan
Derived from an Interior Salish word referring to the “place of water” or “people living at the head of the river.”
12. Yukon
From the Gwich’in language meaning “great river,” describing the massive waterway that defines the territory.
13. Nunavut
Means “our land” in Inuktitut, created in 1999 as a distinct territory for the Inuit people.
14. Mississauga
Named after the Anishinaabe people; the word translates roughly to “those at the great river-mouth.”
15. Chicoutimi
From the Innu word shkoutimeou, meaning “the end of the deep water,” located on the Saguenay River.
Unique Place Names in Canada
1. Vulcan
A town in Alberta that has fully embraced its Star Trek connection, complete with a starship replica.
2. Ecum Secum
A rural community in Nova Scotia derived from Mi’kmaq, noted for the rhyme that rolls off the tongue.
3. Moose Jaw
A Saskatchewan city with debated origins, possibly Cree for “warm breezes” or outlining the shape of a moose jaw.
4. Medicine Hat
An Alberta city named after the Blackfoot word Saamis, referring to the eagle tail feather headdress of a medicine man.
5. Yellowknife
Named after a local Dene tribe known for their copper-colored knives, serving as the capital of the Northwest Territories.
6. Swastika
An Ontario community founded in 1908, named for a lucky symbol long before it was associated with WWII.
7. Mayo
A village in Yukon, surprisingly not named after the condiment but after a circus acrobat, Alfred Mayo.
8. Asbestos
A Quebec town that recently changed its name to Val-des-Sources to escape the toxic reputation of the mineral.
9. Red Deer
Named after the elk that British traders mistook for the European red deer.
10. Happy Adventure
A cheerful little community in Newfoundland that promises good times just by reading the sign.
11. Garden of Eden
A lush spot in Nova Scotia that sets very high biblical expectations for visitors.
12. Moonbeam
An Ontario township known for a roadside flying saucer and lights often seen dancing in the sky.
13. Gimli
A Manitoba town named after the Hall of the Gods in Norse mythology, reflecting its Icelandic heritage.
14. Finger
A very small, literal place in Manitoba that likely points the way to somewhere else.
15. Snafu Creek
A creek in Yukon named by military personnel using the acronym “Situation Normal: All Fouled Up.”
Cute Place Names in Canada
1. Love
A village in Saskatchewan that becomes very popular for postmarks every Valentine’s Day.
2. Cupids
The oldest English colony in Canada, located in Newfoundland, sounding eternally romantic.
3. Heart’s Content
A picturesque town in Newfoundland where the transatlantic telegraph cable famously landed.
4. Heart’s Delight
Just down the road from Heart’s Content, suggesting this area of Newfoundland is exceptionally affectionate.
5. Little Heart’s Ease
Yet another charmingly named community in the Trinity Bay area of Newfoundland.
6. Paradise
A growing town in Newfoundland that suggests you don’t have to die to get to heaven.
7. Rosebud
A hamlet in Alberta known for its theatre and flowers, evoking Citizen Kane vibes.
8. Flower’s Cove
A town on the Great Northern Peninsula famous for rare thrombolite fossils and pretty blooms.
9. Honey Harbour
A sweet-sounding vacation spot in Ontario, serving as a gateway to the 30,000 islands.
10. Candyville
A locality in Ontario that sounds like a board game destination but is actually quite rural.
11. Snowflake
A tiny community in Manitoba that embraces the chilly reality of Canadian winters.
12. Cherry Valley
A quaint community in Prince Edward Island, evoking images of fruit orchards and sunshine.
13. Bright Sand
A lake and community in Saskatchewan that paints a lovely picture of summer beach days.
14. Hope
A town in BC that serves as an optimistic gateway to the interior of the province.
15. Fairy Glen
A magical-sounding community in Saskatchewan that feels like it hides woodland sprites.
Cool Place Names in Canada
1. Radium Hot Springs
Located in BC, this sounds like a superhero origin story location but is actually a relaxing spa town.
2. Uranium City
A ghost town in Saskatchewan that boomed during the Cold War nuclear arms race.
3. Thunder Bay
A powerful name for the city at the head of Lake Superior, referencing the Thunderbird of Indigenous legend.
4. Bastion
A stoic name associated with a mountain in BC, implying strength and defense.
5. Stoner
A community in BC that, despite the modern slang implication, was named after a creek.
6. Grimshaw
The “Mile Zero” of the Mackenzie Highway, sounding like a gritty detective from a noir novel.
7. Wolfville
A university town in Nova Scotia that sounds like the setting of a werewolf movie.
8. Falcon Lake
A resort area in Manitoba famous for a well-documented UFO sighting in the 1960s.
9. Mystic
A locality in Quebec that invites curiosity and suggests hidden secrets.
10. Valhalla Centre
A hamlet in Alberta paying homage to the Viking afterlife and Scandinavian roots.
11. Vortex
A geographical feature name in BC that sounds like a sci-fi portal.
12. Rumble Beach
Located on Vancouver Island, sounding like the site of an epic showdown.
13. Spy Hill
A Saskatchewan community with a history of Indigenous scouts watching from the elevation.
14. Cobalt
A Northern Ontario mining town named after the metallic element, sounding industrial and sleek.
15. Magnetawan
An Ontario township meaning “long open channel,” which has a magnetic ring to it.
Clever & Crazy Place Names in Canada
1. Useless Inlet
A body of water in BC that apparently didn’t meet anyone’s expectations.
2. False Creek
An inlet in Vancouver named because a captain thought it was a creek, realized it wasn’t, and kept the error.
3. Pain Court
A village in Ontario whose name translates to “Short on Bread,” allegedly due to a shortage in pioneer days.
4. Desolation Sound
Named by Captain George Vancouver because the gloomy weather made him feel miserable.
5. Red Head Cove
A Newfoundland community named for a reddish headland, not the hair color of the residents.
6. Joe Batt’s Arm
A community on Fogo Island named after a settler, though which “arm” it refers to is up for debate.
7. Too Good Arm
A neighboring inlet to Joe Batt’s Arm, suggesting this body of water was just superior.
8. Surprise
A locality in Saskatchewan that presumably wasn’t there when mapmakers first looked.
9. Nowhere Island
A small island in Nunavut that suggests you have truly gone off the grid.
10. Ball’s Falls
A conservation area in Ontario named after the Ball family, provoking giggles from every school trip.
11. Strange
A hamlet in Ontario that embraces its odd moniker.
12. Old Man’s Bay
A Newfoundland name that conjures images of grumpy fishermen shaking their fists at the sea.
13. Confusion Bay
Located in Newfoundland, likely named due to navigational hazards that baffled sailors.
14. Ha! Ha! Bay
A bay in Quebec, different from Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!, but equally enthusiastic about dead ends.
15. Embarras
A locality in Alberta, likely named for a river obstruction (embarras) rather than social awkwardness.
Catchy Place Names in Canada
1. Wawa
A town in Ontario with a name so nice they said it twice (Ojibwe for “wild goose”).
2. Tofino
A surf town in BC with a sharp, fresh sound that matches its cool pacific vibe.
3. Kelowna
From the Okanagan word for “grizzly bear,” it rolls off the tongue with a warm, sunny feel.
4. Digby
A snappy Nova Scotia town famous for scallops, sounding like a friendly dog’s name.
5. Osoyoos
A palindrome name in BC (reads the same backward) that is fun to say and spell.
6. Tuktoyaktuk
Commonly called “Tuk,” this Northwest Territories hamlet has a percussive, rhythmic name.
7. Shediac
The “Lobster Capital of the World” in New Brunswick has a sharp, memorable cadence.
8. Jasper
Simple, strong, and classic, fitting for the rugged National Park in Alberta.
9. Banff
Short, punchy, and instantly recognizable worldwide.
10. Truro
A hub in Nova Scotia with a name that sounds sturdy and reliable.
11. Leduc
An Alberta city with a name that sounds concise and efficient.
12. Morden
A Manitoba city with a name that sounds sleek and surprisingly contemporary.
13. Kitimat
A BC industrial town with a sharp, distinctive “K” and “T” sound.
14. Revelstoke
A mountain resort town with a name that sounds full of energy and action.
15. Souris
Manitoba (and PEI) towns named “Mouse” in French, which sounds whisper-quiet and catchy.
Modern & Stylish Place Names in Canada
1. Unity
A town in Saskatchewan with a name that resonates with modern ideals of togetherness.
2. Liberty
A Saskatchewan village with a name that stands for freedom and independence.
3. Concord
A neighborhood in Ontario with a name suggesting harmony and agreement.
4. Aurora
A town in Ontario named after the Roman goddess of dawn, sounding celestial and trendy.
5. Delta
A municipality in BC with a mathematical, scientific, and sleek name.
6. Pace
A very small locale, but the name suggests momentum and forward movement.
7. Noble
A village in Alberta (Nobleford) that carries an air of dignity and high status.
8. Merit
A location in BC (Merritt, though spelled differently) that sounds meritocratic and earned.
9. Sterling
A name found in Alberta implying high value, silver, and quality.
10. Imperial
A Saskatchewan town that projects power, command, and grandeur.
11. Vanguard
A village in Saskatchewan with a name that implies being at the forefront of innovation.
12. Zenon Park
A Saskatchewan village that sounds like a futuristic garden or a sci-fi colony.
13. Victory
A community in Nova Scotia that projects success and winning.
14. Champion
An Alberta village that literally sounds like a winner.
15. Dream
A locality name that captures the aspirational spirit of the modern age.
Dirty & Naughty Place Names in Canada
1. Dildo
A very real town in Newfoundland, named either after a pin on a rowboat or the phallic object.
2. Climax
A village in Saskatchewan that promises a very happy ending to your journey.
3. Crotch Lake
An Ontario lake found near the “groin” of two rivers meeting.
4. Balls Creek
A community in Nova Scotia that sounds like a painful accident.
5. Shag Harbour
A fishing community in Nova Scotia, “Shag” referring to a type of seabird (the cormorant).
6. Spread Eagle
A Newfoundland community named for the shape of an eagle with wings spread, not the position.
7. Conception Bay
A large bay in Newfoundland, presumably where all the babies in Climax, SK come from.
8. Come By Chance
A town in Newfoundland that sounds like an accidental encounter.
9. Placentia
A town in Newfoundland derived from the Spanish palace, though it sounds purely biological.
10. Big Beaver
A hamlet in Saskatchewan famous for its slogan: “Kiss the Beaver.”
11. Mushaboom
A Nova Scotia community that sounds suspiciously like a euphemism.
12. Virgin Arm
A place in Newfoundland that sounds like it hasn’t seen much action yet.
13. Blow Me Down
Listing it again because, honestly, it fits perfectly in this category too.
14. Goobies
Sounds innocent to some, but definitely sounds like slang for anatomy to others.
15. Swastika
Included again for the shock value—it’s not “naughty” in a sexual sense, but definitely shocking.
