10 strange and unusual town names in Canada
Canada has some strange and unusual town names; from the community of Climax in Saskatchewan to Ontario's Moose Factory, town names range from hilarious innuendos to the bizarrely entertaining.
Here are some of the weirdest of the bunch.
Dildo, Newfoundland
Yup, this is really a thing; Dildo is a small community of about 1,500 people located 60 kilometres west of St. John's.
Nobody knows exactly where the unusual name comes from, although some residents have suggested a species of tree, a song refrain and — er — the most obvious interpretation of the word.
In 2019, American talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel even signed on as the unofficial mayor of Dildo and paid to erect a Hollywood-style sign in the town (no pun intended).
Saint-Louis-du-Ha!-Ha!, Quebec
This town of about 1,300 people actually holds a Guinness world record for being the only community in the world with two exclamation marks in its name.
The name is thought to be derived from the archaic French word "ha-ha," which refers to a dead end such as a cul-de-sac. In this case, the "ha-ha" is nearby Lake Témiscouata, which was a treacherous obstacle for early travelers that had to portage around it.
Punkeydoodles Corners, Ontario
Who wouldn't want to write Punkeydoodles on an envelope as their return address? The name of this hamlet in southwestern Ontario certainly packs a punch.
Again, nobody knows exactly how "Punkeydoodles" came to be, although some people have suggested that it can be attributed to a German innkeeper that mispronounced the lyrics to Yankee Doodle.
Climax, Saskatchewan
This village located in the southwest of Saskatchewan is home to about 195 Canadians. Even though Climax was innocently named after a Minnesota town of the same name, the suggestive name prompted Pornhub to extend a free lifetime membership to all Climax residents in 2018.
The town even reportedly appears in the game Trivial Pursuit, with a question that asks, "What appears on the other side of the town's welcome sign?" (the answer is come again).
Swastika, Ontario
Yikes, Ontario; this small town was named after the Swastika Gold Mine staked nearby in 1907, prior to World War II. Nevertheless, the name still evokes disturbing images of Nazis and fascism for the majority of Canadians.
Some people have even launched petitions to change the name in recent years.
Balzac, Alberta
This hamlet is located just outside of Calgary, and it's known primarily for having a killer shopping centre. Balzac was named for French writer Honore De Balzac, but the name unfortunately sounds like something less desirable when you say it fast enough.
Come By Chance, Newfoundland
Not much is known about how this town of approximately 230 people got its name, but 31 residents did — by chance — win $60 million in a lottery two years ago.
Moose Factory, Ontario
You could argue that all of Canada is a factory that churns out moose, but a community in Ontario is actually called that. The name "moose factory" refers to the community's location on Moose River and its history as a fur trading post.
Stoner, B.C.
B.C. residents get a lot of flack for being pot lovers, but in the case of one small town located near Prince George, it's entirely appropriate to call residents "stoners."
Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia
This small fishing community is home to about 450 people. Shag Harbour achieved fame for a 1967 UFO sighting, but the suggestive name has also put the town on the map over the years.
Latest Videos
Join the conversation Load comments
