North Carolina is full of charming small towns, coastal gems, and mountain hideaways—but some of its town names will leave you scratching your head, laughing out loud, or second-guessing your GPS entirely. Whether it’s the pronunciation, spelling, or just plain weirdness, these places feel like they were named to test outsiders.
Here are 11 North Carolina town names that’ll definitely confuse your GPS—and maybe even your brain.
1. Climax
Yes, it’s a real place—and yes, people live there. Located in Guilford County, Climax always gets a chuckle for obvious reasons. It’s home to the Climax Motorsports Park… just in case the name wasn’t enough.
2. Lizard Lick
No, it’s not a joke. Lizard Lick, just outside of Raleigh, sounds like something from a cartoon. It even had its own reality TV show at one point. Your GPS might say it seriously, but you won’t be able to stop laughing.
3. Whynot
As in, “Whynot move to Whynot?” This Moore County town got its name when residents couldn’t agree on what to call the place. One person finally said, “Why not name it Whynot?”—and it stuck.
4. Boogertown
Yep. Boogertown is real and located in Gaston County. Legend says the name came from moonshiners warning outsiders to stay away from “the boogers” (ghosts) in the woods. Now, your GPS just sounds like it has a cold every time it says it.
5. Conetoe
Pronounced “Kuh-NEE-tuh,” this small town in Edgecombe County trips up even lifelong North Carolinians. Say it like it’s spelled, and locals will know you’re not from around here.
6. Bahama
This Durham County town isn’t tropical, and it’s definitely not pronounced like the islands. Locals say it “Ba-HAY-ma,” not “Bahama” like the beachy paradise. Your GPS will say it wrong every time.
7. Fuquay-Varina
Don’t even try this one without help. It’s “Few-kway Vuh-REE-nah,” not “Foo-kwa Var-eena.” A popular Raleigh suburb, this town has a name that trips up newcomers and AI assistants alike.
8. Chocowinity
Pronounced “Chock-oh-WIN-ih-tee,” this Beaufort County town has Native American roots. It’s beautiful—but your GPS will struggle so hard, you might not even recognize the name when it says it.
9. Bat Cave
Yes, Batman fans, Bat Cave is a real place in western North Carolina. Named after an actual cave filled with bats, it’s fun to visit—but sounds like your GPS is reading off a comic book.
10. Kill Devil Hills
Dramatic much? This oddly named Outer Banks town has a piratey past. Supposedly, it got the name from rum strong enough to “kill the devil.” Your GPS might pause before saying it, like it’s not sure if it’s allowed.
11. Toast
Just… Toast. This Surry County town has a name that sounds like someone was really hungry when they filled out the paperwork. It’s the kind of place that makes you double-check if your GPS is joking.
North Carolina might be known for sweet tea, scenic beauty, and southern hospitality—but it’s also home to some of the quirkiest town names in the U.S. From towns named after breakfast items to ones that sound like medieval battle cries, these places keep both travelers and GPS devices on their toes.
If your navigation system sounds confused the next time you’re road-tripping through NC… don’t blame it. We’d be confused too.
SOURCES
- (https://kiss951.com/2025/08/15/the-most-difficult-town-to-pronounce-in-north-carolina/)
- (https://97x.com/5-most-mispronounced-towns-north-carolina/)
- (https://www.rd.com/list/difficult-to-pronounce-towns/)
