New Mexico is full of little towns, and even some big ones, with names that will make you stop and look twice… and then wonder, “WHAT were they thinking?” Many of the town names in New Mexico come from Spanish and Native American words, family names, land features, and a few misspellings. So while these names often make sense, in the end, you always have to wonder what, exactly, got lost in translation. Here are 17 of the more unusual New Mexico town names and the stories behind them.

1. Albuquerque (Bernallio County)
Albuquerque, NM, USA
Mark Faviell/Flickr
The short version of the Albuquerque story is that the city was named for the Spanish administrator and viceroy of Mexico, Francisco Fernández de la Cueva, Duke of Alburquerque. Note the second R in Alburquerque that got dropped in the 1800s. The meaning of Alburquerque may come from the Arabic, meaning white oak.
2. Brilliant (Colfax County)
Brilliant, NM 87740, USA
Jeffery Beal/Flickr
One of the strangest New Mexico town names, Brilliant has a fun little backstory. Like many places that are now a New Mexico ghost town, this place was a mining town (Brilliant Mine 1906). Allegedly, the name comes from the "brilliant" luster of the local coal that was mined here.
3. Carrizozo (Lincoln County)
Carrizozo, NM 88301, USA
Cbaer/Wikipedia
This railroad town was originally called Carrizo Flats, named for the nearby Carrizo (or reed grass) River. The extra "zo" was added to signify the abundance of the area.
4. Chilili (Bernallio County)
Chilili, NM 87059, USA
Paula M. Castaño‎ /Facebook
Contrary to popular belief, Chilili is not a corruption of the word "chili." It's its own word, from a Pueblo language meaning something like weak spring or barely trickling water.
5. Cleveland (Mora County)
Cleveland, NM 87715, USA
National Museum of American History/Wikipedia
Once called San Antonio lo de Mora, this town in New Mexico changed its name to Cleveland in 1892 when it applied for a post office. The name was chosen in honor of President Grover Cleveland.
6. Dusty and Polvadera (Socorro County)
Dusty, NM 87943, USA
Polvadera, NM 87828, USA
Matt/Flickr
Sometimes it seems that almost any town in New Mexico could be called "dusty," but there are actually two dusty places, both in Socorro County - Dusty and the nearby, Polvadera (the Spanish word for dusty). Both are unincorporated communities.
7. Las Trampas (Taos County)
Trampas, NM 87521, USA
Bryn Davies/Flickr
No, the name doesn't mean beaver. One of the more weird town names in New Mexico, Las Trampas could have been named after beaver traps (trampas). The town was christened after St. Thomas, Apostle of the River of Traps.
8. High Rolls (Otero County)
High Rolls, NM 88310, USA
AllenS/Wikimedia Commons
Most commonly, it is believed that High Rolls got its name from the sloping grade of the land. Another theory for this New Mexico town is that the "rolls" refer to rapids on the nearby Fresnal Creek. What do you think?

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9. Pie Town (Catron County)
Pie Town, NM 87827, USA
teofilo/Flickr
If you had to name a place after your best dish, what would it be? This pretty much sums up Pie Town's name: a place with awesome pies. Maybe this strange New Mexico town name isn't so strange after all!
10. Santa Fe (Santa Fe County)
Santa Fe, NM, USA
K W Reinsch/Flickr
Since this is the state capitol, you should know this one. Santa Fe means "holy faith." Santa Fe's full name, by the way, is La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asís. That translates to Royal Town of the Holy Faith of Saint Francis of Assisi.
11. Swastika (Colfax County)
Swastika Avenue, Swastika Ave, Des Moines, NM 88418, USA
Gavin White/Flickr
The swastika is a symbol used in cultures across the world. Before the bad guys got ahold of this symbol, it actually stood for things like abundance and prosperity -- thus a fitting name for a once thriving mining camp (now a ghost town). The town, however, changed its name to Brilliant II in 1940.
12. Thoreau (McKinley County)
Thoreau, NM 87323, USA
Jeremy Brown/Flickr
This town was named after poet and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau. However, the name is pronounced thuh-Roo, with local history claiming the town was named after a town administrator.
13. Truth or Consequences (Sierra County)
Truth or Consequences, NM, USA
Michael Swigart/Flickr
Yep, just like the old TV game show. Once called Hot Springs, the town voted to change its name to Truth or Consequences in 1950 after the TV show's host, Ralph Edwards said he would broadcast a show from a town willing name itself after the show. Keeping his promise, the show broadcast from Truth or Consequences, NM in April, 1950.
14. Tucumcari (Quay County)
Tucumcari, NM 88401, USA
BFS Man/Flickr
There is a cute story about a chief's daughter named Kari and her true love, Tocum, but it's just not true. The name most likely comes from a Plains Indian word meaning lookout. While it may be one of the strangest New Mexico town names, Tucumcari also has the unique honor of being the inspiration for the Disney film, "Cars."
15. Questa (Taos County)
Questa, NM 87556, USA
Efreiboth/Wikipedia
The name Questa is a corruption of cuesta, which means slope or hill. By the way, Questa was originally named San Antonio del Rio Colorado.
16. Zuzax (Bernallio County)
Zuzax, NM 87059, USA
BrotherMagneto/Flickr
Does your head turn every time you pass the sign for this New Mexico town? It's supposed to. This name was made up by a businessman to attract attention to his curio shop along Route 66.

There are plenty of towns in the state with crazy names and, of course, we can’t list them all here. But if you have some funny names to add to the list – and better yet, the story behind them, we would love to hear about them in the comments below! For an in-depth look at some of our state’s past, check out some of the most historic New Mexico towns, perfect for a day trip with the family!

Note: Much of the source material for this post came from The Place Names of New Mexico, by Robert Julyan.

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Strange New Mexico town names

Jackie Ann | July 19, 2022

What are the most unique towns in New Mexico?

There are so many unique New Mexico towns, you’d need a lifetime to explore them all! One of our favorite New Mexico towns that’s perfect for a day trip is Tucumcari. With a population that hovers around 5,000, it’s the perfect mix of little-big where you still get that small-town charm while still having the luxuries common in big cities. For amazing antiques and shopping, you can’t go wrong with a day trip to Madrid. Here, you’ll find all sorts of unique boutiques to shop at among incredible scenery. While you’re in the area, Cerrillos Hills State Park is just a few miles away and the hiking trails there are the perfect way to end the day after exploring the town.

Are there any ghost towns in New Mexico?

How much time do you have? There are an estimated 400 ghost towns in New Mexico. While most of them are distant memories with nothing left but maybe a faint foundation or occasional mining equipment left behind, there are others that have been more carefully preserved, like Cuervo. Once a bustling railroad town, Cuervo didn’t survive when I-40 was built, and slowly was abandoned. Wandering around this creepy ghost town is a haunting experience, for sure.

What are the best small towns in New Mexico?

There are plenty of scenic small towns in New Mexico to escape to for a long weekend. Nestled right in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest, Cloudcroft is one of the most beautiful mountain towns in New Mexico, and ideal for nature lovers. One of the more weird New Mexico town names, Cloudcroft means “a clearing covered in clouds.” The tiny but mighty town is home to less than 1,000 residents and is filled with charming lodging options, delicious restaurants, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.

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