9 Towns Near Chicago With The Strangest Names You'll Ever See

Native American tribes that once inhabited the land we now call Chicago are responsible for many of the unusual names of our suburbs. The city itself gets its name from the word “Shikaakwa,” which roughly translates to “onion or garlic field.” Other town names originated with European cultures and were brought over by immigrants who sought Chicago as the American dream.

If you’re from around here, you may not even realize that some of our suburbs have some strange names. Keep scrolling for more details.

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Derived from the Potawatomi word for "marsh," this town is known as "The World's Largest Village," and it is located in Cook County, just north of the city. In addition to a huge mall and a variety of other attractions, it is home to the largest Jewish temple and population in the area.

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French explorers who traversed this area named the river "La Rivière des Plaines," which translates to "River of the Plane Tree." The town gets its name from this river, known today as the Des Plaines RIver, and it's a quiet place that locals love.

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This village north of the city is one of the most gorgeous suburbs near Chicago, and its name says it all— it comes from a Potawatomi word that means "beautiful place."

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Though previously named Pleasant Grove, this town gets its current name from a battle that took place in Italy in 1800. It is located in McHenry Country, which is northwest of Cook County.

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Renowned for its architecture, this adorable Cook County village has roots that go back to the early 1900s. It was popular for hosting golf tournaments and is known today as one of the most luxurious suburbs in the nation.

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Derived from the Latin word for chickpea, this large suburb is famous for housing Al Capone, being the site of a race riot in 1951, and hosting civil rights marches in the 1960s.

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As far as strange names go, this one is pretty odd. It is pronounced "BURR-win," and it was once a part of Cicero, but broke off on its own in 1908.

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This Lake County community is surrounded by water and gorgeous scenery. It is popular today for its lake culture and waterfront homes.

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Located on the banks of the DuPage River, this town is named for Joseph Naper, who settled there in 1831. This is one of the ritziest suburbs nowadays, and it is located west of the city.

The names of these suburbs seem strange, especially if you are not from here. Check out 13 more things you quickly learn when you move to Chicago.

What other towns around Chicago have strange names? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!