# What are some cities that are named for a concept, like Hope (Arkansas USA)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 23, 2026, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904 "2026-02-23T03:07:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [February 23, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/41 "2026-02-23T19:26:25Z")
I’ve been through Uncertain, Texas. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. It’s a popular picture taking place. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/42 "2026-02-23T19:33:11Z")
There is a village called Hope in the county of Flintshire UK. Nearby is a sister village called Caergwrle. So of course the saying goes: live in Hope and die in Caergwrle… Haven’t heard that one for quite a while now…. 🙂 I believe there was once a Austrian town called ‘Fucking’ but I think they have renamed it since… ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/43 "2026-02-23T22:52:03Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > When we drove around to the west side of the lake I saw a sign that said, “Church of Uncertain.” I had to take a photo. > **[Uncertain, Texas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncertain,_Texas)** > > Uncertain is a city in Harrison County, Texas, United States. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 94, down from 150 at the 2000 census. In 2020, it had a population of 85. > The city of Uncertain was incorporated in 1961 as a Type B general law city, with a mayor and five aldermen on an at-large basis. > Uncertain has been noted for its unusual place name. According to tradition, the town derives its name from the original application for township where the name for it had not... > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’ve been through Uncertain, Texas. > > Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. With 85 people living there, it would be pretty small. Looking at it on Google Maps, it mostly looks like it stretches along part of one Farm-to-Market road and a particular street, up on the shore of Caddo Lake. Admittedly, I’m not real certain. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2026, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/44 "2026-02-23T22:59:41Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Boring, Oregon There’s also a town named Drain. An old Oregon joke: the newspaper headline today was “Boring man drowns in Drain”. There is a Hope, Alaska. My favorite town is Dickshooter, Idaho. Not a concept, but rather named after a pioneer named Dick Shooter. Cape Disappointment, in WA. Turnagain, AK: named by Captain Cook after he discovered that the inlet was not the northwest passage he was looking for. ---
**Author:** ![MeepersC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meepersc/32/12088_2.png) [@MeepersC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeepersC)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2026, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/45 "2026-02-23T23:06:41Z")
All in North Carolina: Whynot, Love Valley, Welcome, Last Chance, Climax, Justice, Erect. ---
**Author:** ![motu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/motu/32/259_2.png) [@motu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motu)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2026, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/46 "2026-02-23T23:27:19Z")
Fairhope, AL New Hope, Hopewell and Amwell in PA, latter two probably being named after a person. ---
**Author:** ![Awb78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/258eb7/32.png) [@Awb78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Awb78)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/47 "2026-02-24T00:08:45Z")
Fertile, MN, which is only 36 minutes until Climax, MN. ---
**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:** [February 24, 2026, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/48 "2026-02-24T00:10:49Z")
As long as we’re doing adjectives (like Peculiar, MO), I’ll add Modesto (Modest), California. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/49 "2026-02-24T00:51:17Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I’ll add Modesto (Modest), California. There are a bunch of California towns that fit the bill but in spanish: El Segundo (the second) Fortuna (fortune) La Mirada (the look) Pacifica (peaceful) Sacramento (sacrament) Soledad (solitude) Sonora (sonorous) Ventura (happiness) ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/50 "2026-02-24T01:04:16Z")
Hamilton, Ohio has everyone beat. They want you to yell its name. So in 1986, they officially changed the name of the city to **Hamilton!** Yes, to **Hamilton!** They seemed to have dropped the **!** , at least unofficially, but I think it’s still on the books. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/51 "2026-02-24T03:12:29Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Also in Pennsylvania. Not far from Intercourse and Bird in Hand. Those Pennsylvania Dutch are a riot. All this talk about Pennsylvania and no one has mentioned Philadelphia (named by William Penn and **literally meaning “brotherly love”** ) ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/52 "2026-02-24T03:22:37Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > So in 1986, they officially changed the name of the city to **Hamilton!** It was an attempt to convince people that Hamilton wasn’t just another boring Ohio town. I have doubts about the success of this. Trivia question (please excuse the hijack): What other two towns have exclamation points in their names? ---
**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:** [February 24, 2026, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/53 "2026-02-24T03:25:01Z")
Lake Success, New York ---
**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:** [February 24, 2026, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/54 "2026-02-24T13:33:29Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > All this talk about Pennsylvania and no one has mentioned Philadelphia See post #36. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2026, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/55 "2026-02-24T15:17:35Z")
Off topic, but mindful to ‘Dopers is Cecil, Arkansas. ---
**Author:** ![DudeInJpn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dc4da7/32.png) [@DudeInJpn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudeInJpn)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/56 "2026-02-27T07:46:21Z")
Industry, California Commerce, California ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/57 "2026-02-27T07:52:25Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > How could you leave out Humptulips? I mean, it’s not really a _concept_, is it? It’s a Coast Salish word of uncertain meaning that just happens to also have an amusing meaning in English. My favorite overall place name in WA would have to be Skamania, because I’m pretty sure that was the name of a festival I went to in 1998. I believe Reel Big Fish headlined it. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/58 "2026-02-27T15:04:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > mean, it’s not really a _concept_, is it? You’re right, it’s really more of a directive. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/59 "2026-02-27T16:29:39Z")
> [@DudeInJpn](#): > > Commerce, California Also Commerce, Oklahoma, whence Mickey Mantle hails. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904/60 "2026-03-01T09:11:04Z")
Mount Eden, California From Wikipedia: > **Mt. Eden** was an unincorporated agricultural district in [Eden Township](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Township,_Alameda_County,_California "Eden Township, Alameda County, California"), [Alameda County](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alameda_County,_California "Alameda County, California"), [California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California "California"), United States. It was annexed by the City of [Hayward](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayward,_California "Hayward, California"). It lies at an elevation of 43 feet (13 m). The mountain is purely conceptual. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-cities-that-are-named-for-a-concept-like-hope-arkansas-usa/1027904.md?page=4)