Looking for some interesting travel facts? Check out these 11 weird Louisiana city names and their origins. The stories behind these “Louisiana legends” are truly fascinating and they make for a great trivia game!

1. Bunkie
Bunkie, LA 71322, USA
Orville Frazier/Google Maps
Bunkie was named for the daughter of Capt. Samuel Haas. According to the local legend, the daughter had a pet monkey as a child that she nicknamed Bunkie. Eventually the daughter herself took on the name, and her father named the town after her.
2. Dry Prong
Dry Prong, LA 71423, USA
By Charles McCartney
Dry Prong was named by a sawmill owner who built a water wheel over a creek that went dry in the summers.
3. Cut Off
Cut Off, LA 70345, USA
Flickr.com / C Hanchey
Cut Off got its name because of a short-cut canal that was proposed to connect the river to New Orleans, connecting Bayou Lafourche via Lake Salvador with New Orleans.
4. Natchitoches
Natchitoches, LA, USA
Wikicommons / Billy Hathorn
The oldest town in Louisiana, the name Natchitoches in the tongue of the people indigenous to the area means "pawpaw eaters." This is actually distinct from the often confused town Nacogdoches, TX, which means "persimmon eaters."
5. Grosse Tete
Grosse Tete, LA 70740, USA
Grosse Tete Welcome Center
Legend has it that the village’s name, which means "Big Head" in French, was derived from an indigenous Choctaw man who lived and hunted in the area when it was first settled by the Acadian people and was said to have a big head.

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6. Jigger
Jigger, LA 71295, USA
By Angelo Landrum
It was named after a local man who would, upon request, dance a jig. It was his childhood nickname. When he grew up, his nickname got changed to Punchin. But the town name already stuck.
7. Mowata
Mowata, LA 70543, USA
facebook.com/themowatastore
This tiny place was named so because the trains used to run through there and this was a stop to top off the boilers. Hence, "More water!" became, "Mo'wata!"
8. Zwolle
Zwolle, LA 71486, USA
Town of Zwolle Facebook Page
Zwolle is named after the town of the same name in the Netherlands. It was named by Mr. Jan De Goeijen, who was one of the K.C.S. invested. He named after his hometown Zwolle, Holland.
9. Almadane
Almadane, LA 70639, USA
Flickr.com / Craig Haymon
The first postmaster of this town, submitted the name as a combination of the first names of the three men who first pioneered this area : Al Damereal, Mann Huddleston, and Dan Knight. It’s the only Almadane in the United States.
10. Krotz Springs
Krotz Springs, LA 70750, USA
Flickr.com / Krotz Springs
Krotz Springs was named after C.W. Krotz, a native of Defiance, Ohio that purchased land in the area and suspected oil might be present there. When he drilled down, however, he hit a huge artesian spring of water, which became the beginning of the town.
11. Waterproof
Waterproof, LA 71375, USA
Wikicommons / Billy Hathorn
Back in the 1830s, one of the most popular spots for covered wagons to cross the Mississippi River was just north of present-day Natchez, and after crossing, they’d stop on the other side. Often this area was under water, and on one such occasion, Abner Smalley, one of the early settlers, stood high dry on a small strip of land waiting for a steamboat to make its stop. The boat captain cried out, "Well Abner, I see you're waterproof," and that's how the name of this town was born.

Have you ever been to any of these Louisiana towns? What did you think? Which ones were the most interesting? Did the names fit the personalities you met? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below.

If you’re looking for other “out-of-the-box” Louisiana fun facts, read all about these wacky Louisiana laws that will make you laugh out loud!

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Lysa Allman-Baldwin | December 16, 2022

What are some other funny Louisiana town names?

There are quite a few funny Louisiana town names, each place possessing its own unique history. Some may make you laugh out loud while others may make you cringe a bit. Nevertheless, you can still add some of the following to your trivia fact and unique travel list:

  • Shongaloo – Shongaloo is located about an hour northeast of Shreveport. The name is a Native American term for "running water" and a Cypress tree.
  • Plain Dealing – Located about 40 minutes directly north of Shreveport, this town holds the record for the hottest temperature ever measured in the state – a whopping 114 degrees Fahrenheit back in 1935!
  • Frogmore – Frogmore is located a little under two hours north of the capital of Baton Rouge. It is believed that this town might be named after Frogmore Gardens, which was a vacation home for the Royal family in England. But no none knows for sure.

 

Are there any interesting Louisiana streets?

Yes, there are some interesting Louisiana streets that you might consider popping by. Like some of the funny Louisiana town names, these streets have their own interesting history as well. Check out the following list:

  • Big Diamond Disposal Rd in Lake Charles
  • Bacon St. in Alexandria
  • Mystery St. in New Orleans
  • Candy Queen Ln in Monroe
  • Bruyninckx Rd in Alexandria
  • Fulwar Skipwith Rd in Baton Rouge
  • Bold Venture Rd, Shreveport

 

We're looking for fun family adventures in Louisiana.

There are lots of fun family adventures in Louisiana that are sure to delight and inspire. The following are a few places to get you started:

 

 

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