# Are there any real places named \[Someone's\] \[Some Intangible Thing\] like Ryan's Hope or Evelyn's Despair? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 28, 2025, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118 "2025-12-28T13:36:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/1 "2025-12-28T13:36:11Z")
A video game I play has various places here and there across the map that follow the naming convention of assigning some intangible concept to a person. Like Dunelle’s Kindness or something similar. I know that around the (real) world are several place names that are [Someone’s] [Real Thing], like Miller’s Crossing or Daniel’s Creek or whatever. But are there any real places named for [Someone’s] [Concept]? ---
**Author:** ![Chelonaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@Chelonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chelonaut)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/2 "2025-12-28T13:41:01Z")
First I can think of is Cape of Good Hope. ETA: rereading OP, this probably doesn’t count. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/3 "2025-12-28T13:59:04Z")
The highest peak in Belize is called [Doyle’s Delight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doyle's_Delight). > The name Doyle’s Delight was first coined by [Sharon Matola](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Matola "Sharon Matola") in a 1989 report. The name is based on [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Arthur_Conan_Doyle "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle")’s book _[The Lost World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_World_(Doyle_novel) "The Lost World (Doyle novel)")_ (1912), which contains the quote “there must be something wild and wonderful in a country such as this, and we’re the men to find it out!”. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/4 "2025-12-28T14:40:54Z")
There are various towns in New Hampshire called Someone’s Purchase or Grant. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/5 "2025-12-28T14:55:02Z")
> **[Johns Folly Beach | US Virgin Islands, Saint John, Coral Harbor](https://sandee.com/united-states-virgin-islands/saint-john/coral-harbor/johns-folly-beach)** > > Explore Johns Folly Beach in US Virgin Islands, Saint John. Crystal clear waters, long white sand, free parking (limited space), not dog-friendly. Note the location and bay is simply called “John’s Folly.” ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/6 "2025-12-28T15:00:06Z")
There must be dozens of places called “[Name]’s Folly,” but that’s usually in reference to “folly” as in “ornamental building with no purpose,” not “foolishness.” ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/7 "2025-12-28T15:05:17Z")
Wolferts Roost Country Club in Albany NY ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/8 "2025-12-28T16:28:17Z")
The name of Karlsruhe in south west Germany, home to Germany’s apex courts, literally translates to “Charles’ repose”. It was founded in the early 18th century as a planned settlement for a baroque ruler, Charles III William of Baden-Durlach, as a new residence. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/9 "2025-12-28T16:46:54Z")
The legend to the Karlsruhe name (apparently sanctioned by the eponymous Karl) even was that he took a nap during hunting in the forest nearby, and dreamed of building a magnificient palace here. Another building in Germany ist the palace of **Friedrichsruh** , seat of the von Bismarck family. Here the name came from a hunting lodge built for Count Friedrich zur Lippe-Biesterfeld in 1763. Another German example: the palace and later town of **Ludwigslust** in Mecklenburg, ordered by one Christian Ludwig duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/10 "2025-12-28T16:57:23Z")
I presume “lust” means something different in German than in English? ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/11 "2025-12-28T17:00:02Z")
Dorsey’s Search and Harper’s Choice in Columbia, Maryland ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/12 "2025-12-28T17:08:50Z")
The English and German words are certainly cognates, but the German word doesn’t have the sexual connotations that its English equivalent has. It can also mean pleasure more generally, including non-sexual pleasure, and a frequent idiom is “Lust haben”, which just means that you feel like doing something. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/13 "2025-12-28T17:35:39Z")
Good call. I imagine there are even more examples in Columbia. I don’t know if King’s Contrivance is an abstraction. ETA: About Columbia’s naming conventions: [https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/columbia-maryland-street-names](https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/columbia-maryland-street-names) ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/14 "2025-12-28T17:42:30Z")
> [@Schnitte](#): > > The English and German words are certainly cognates, but the German word doesn’t have the sexual connotations that its English equivalent has. Nitpick: the German word “Lust” doesn’t have an _exclusive_ and _principal_ sexual connotation, but it also can mean “sexual desire” in the meaning of the English word “lust”. IIRC, one of the seven deadly sins is still called “Lust” in German. Everything else you wrote is spot on, though. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/15 "2025-12-28T17:56:13Z")
I think the traditional German wording for sexual desire as one of the seven deadly sins is “Wollust”, which is a compound of “Lust”. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/16 "2025-12-28T17:58:07Z")
Ah, I think you’re right. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/17 "2025-12-28T18:02:07Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > There must be dozens of places called “[Name]’s Folly,” but that’s usually in reference to “folly” as in “ornamental building with no purpose,” not “foolishness.” Likewise, there’s Drewry’s Bluff in Virginia… ---
**Author:** ![Dancer\_Flight](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dancer_flight/32/7601_2.png) [@Dancer\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dancer_Flight)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/18 "2025-12-28T18:02:19Z")
Theories differ on the origin of the name but there is a [Hudson’s Hope](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson's_Hope) in BC. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/19 "2025-12-28T18:29:44Z")
There is a very small town (more of a village) called “Hope” in Alaska at the end of a dead-end road. I guess that doesn’t fit all the criteria of the OP, however. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118/20 "2025-12-28T19:54:43Z")
I live near a “little place called Hope” There’s a old road to Hope, AR called, with sign “Way to Hope”. I feel like eventually they’ll rename it Hopeway. There’s a county road(which are numbered in some haphazard way that no can understand) here called Frenchies Dead. It’s a thru road, so they don’t mean Dead end and ran out of room. A guy named Frenchies wife killed him there. In the 1940s or something. There are many “Five mile Roads” or other amount. I often wonder if it was actually 9.5 miles would they say “Nine and a half mile Road” on a sign? Hmmm 🤔 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-real-places-named-someones-some-intangible-thing-like-ryans-hope-or-evelyns-despair/1026118.md?page=2)