People who live in the Upper Midwest have a reputation for being a little reserved, so if we hear funny Minnesota town names, we may not react. That's because we tend to keep our innermost thoughts to ourselves, and while we are welcoming to outsiders, it takes us a while to truly become friends. But that doesn't mean that we Minnesotans are without a sense of humor. It is evident in some of our amusing street names and silly town names. Most such names have a backstory that explains just what the original settlers were thinking, but even so, these silly town names still remain to this day.
1. Sleepy Eye
Sleepy Eye may seem like an odd name at first, but the town was named after the Native American Chief Sleepy Eye, who lived in the area during the early 19th century.
2. Embarrass
Besides having a strange name, the town of Embarrass has another claim to fame - it is the coldest place in Minnesota. Maybe that's what they're so embarrassed about.
3. Climax
Despite what you may have heard, Climax is actually named after a chewing tobacco company, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. And it is from this company that the town took its name.
4. Fertile
You'd think Fertile got its name from the abundant crops that were grown there when it was founded. But it was actually named after Fertile, Iowa. Early settlers once lived there and decided to give their new Minnesota home the same name. It's easier to remember that way.
5. Nimrod
Today, the town's moniker may come across as a bit rude, but Nimrod's name actually has a wholesome origin. The town was named after a man named Nimrod in the Bible, said to be Noah's great-grandson.
6. Blue Earth
Blue Earth may seem like a strange name until you look at the history of the town. The nearby Blue Earth River was originally called by its Dakota name, Mahka-to. This word refers to the blue-black clay in the river's banks.
7. Ball Club
This tiny community is said to be named after the stick from a Native American sport similar to modern lacrosse.
8. Pillager
Pillager is quite the opposite of what its name may lead you to believe. It is a quiet town with fewer than 500 residents, none of whom are doing any pillaging.
9. Good Thunder
Like Sleepy Eye, the origin of this town's name is not surprising once you look at the history of the area. Good Thunder is named after a Winnebago chief of the same name.
10. Welcome
How's that for Minnesota Nice? We imagine not all who live in Welcome, Minnesota, are 100 percent welcoming, but the town's name is so charming that we'd like to stop by anyway. The town was named for a farmer who once lived on the town's southwestern side.
11. Thief River Falls
Thief River Falls got its name from the river that runs through the town. It is a translation of an Ojibwe phrase that means "thieving-land river." This came about when a band of Dakota maintained a secret camp on a bank of the river that had been claimed by the Ojibwe.
Have you visited any of the towns on this list, and what did you think? Do any of their names suit them particularly well? Do you know of any other funny Minnesota town names? Let us know in the comments below!
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