A combination of Dutch, Native American, and old family names gives Delaware some very interesting names for towns, cities, communities, and unincorporated areas. Some warrant a chill, and others a snicker, but here are 12 places that we think have the strangest town names in Delaware!
- Slaughter Beach
D. Sikes / Flickr The reasoning behind the name of this little beach town has been debated for years, from old family names to dead horseshoe crabs to Native American legends. The most likely tale is that the town took its name from William Slaughter, the first postmaster.
- Blue Ball
By Littleinfo - Own work, Public Domain, Not technically a town, but an unincorporated area in New Castle County….with a really unfortunate moniker. You can even celebrate an occasion at the Blue Ball Barn.
- Wyoming
Mike Mahaffi / Flickr The town of Wyoming, Delaware would fit inside the State of Wyoming 139,740 times! However… there are more people in Delaware than there are in the state of Wyoming. Strange.
- Broadkill
Mike Mahaffie / Flickr Broadkill is both a tiny beach community, and a river in Delaware. There’s also a Murderkill River. Yikes! But don’t worry, the tale says that the “kill” was left behind from the Dutch word for river.
- Blades
John M. / Flickr Ok. So by now you’re probably wondering what’s up with all of the violent Delaware town names! No worries, though; this one is named after a founding father of the area whose last name is Blades… not any sort of weapon.
- Cooch’s Bridge
University of Delaware Libraries / Flickr Ok, ok. So it’s not really a town, but a historic district near Newark. It became famous during a Revolutionary War Battle! We couldn’t resist putting this on the list, though, because we’re clearly still in middle school.
- Roxana
Lee Cannon / Flickr Did you know that Alexander the Great’s wife was named Roxana? This oddly named community always makes me think of the Police song, too.
- Port Mahon
Jeffrey / Flickr The locals know that Port “MAY-hon” (not Mah-HONE) as a strip of rocky shoreline along the Delaware Bay. It’s named after a Spanish city!
- Long Neck
Eric Walker / Flickr Unfortunately, there are no giraffes here. You’ll find some seaside views and one of Delaware’s finer golf courses.
- Leipsic
Patrick Nouhailler / Flickr Many young Delawareans call this town “lipstick”, because Leipsic is kinda hard to figure out. The town’s most famous restaurant, Sambo’s Tavern, is worth a visit for fresh crabs.
- Kitts Hummock
Jeffrey / Flickr We are assuming that this one comes from the definition of hummock that is a piece of forested land that is raised up out of a marsh.
- Gumboro
Lee Cannon / Flickr Gumboro is just fun to say. We’ve always heard it said with a long, southern drawl! When you stop into town, be sure to visit the Gumboro Store.
We hear a rumor that there’s a community in Delaware called Bacons. We’ll have to go hunting for that one! What do you think the strangest town names in Delaware might be?
D. Sikes / Flickr
The reasoning behind the name of this little beach town has been debated for years, from old family names to dead horseshoe crabs to Native American legends. The most likely tale is that the town took its name from William Slaughter, the first postmaster.
By Littleinfo - Own work, Public Domain,
Not technically a town, but an unincorporated area in New Castle County….with a really unfortunate moniker. You can even celebrate an occasion at the Blue Ball Barn.
Mike Mahaffi / Flickr
The town of Wyoming, Delaware would fit inside the State of Wyoming 139,740 times! However… there are more people in Delaware than there are in the state of Wyoming. Strange.
Mike Mahaffie / Flickr
Broadkill is both a tiny beach community, and a river in Delaware. There’s also a Murderkill River. Yikes! But don’t worry, the tale says that the “kill” was left behind from the Dutch word for river.
John M. / Flickr
Ok. So by now you’re probably wondering what’s up with all of the violent Delaware town names! No worries, though; this one is named after a founding father of the area whose last name is Blades… not any sort of weapon.
University of Delaware Libraries / Flickr
Ok, ok. So it’s not really a town, but a historic district near Newark. It became famous during a Revolutionary War Battle! We couldn’t resist putting this on the list, though, because we’re clearly still in middle school.
Lee Cannon / Flickr
Did you know that Alexander the Great’s wife was named Roxana? This oddly named community always makes me think of the Police song, too.
Jeffrey / Flickr
The locals know that Port “MAY-hon” (not Mah-HONE) as a strip of rocky shoreline along the Delaware Bay. It’s named after a Spanish city!
Eric Walker / Flickr
Unfortunately, there are no giraffes here. You’ll find some seaside views and one of Delaware’s finer golf courses.
Patrick Nouhailler / Flickr
Many young Delawareans call this town “lipstick”, because Leipsic is kinda hard to figure out. The town’s most famous restaurant, Sambo’s Tavern, is worth a visit for fresh crabs.
We are assuming that this one comes from the definition of hummock that is a piece of forested land that is raised up out of a marsh.
Gumboro is just fun to say. We’ve always heard it said with a long, southern drawl! When you stop into town, be sure to visit the Gumboro Store.
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Address: Slaughter Beach, DE 19963, USAAddress: Blue Ball, DE 19803, USAAddress: Wyoming, DE, USAAddress: Broadkill Beach, DE, USAAddress: Blades, DE 19973, USAAddress: S Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, DE 19702, USAAddress: Roxana, DE 19945, USAAddress: Port Mahon, DE 19901, USAAddress: Long Neck, DE 19966, USAAddress: Leipsic, DE, USAAddress: Kitts Hummock, DE 19901, USAAddress: Gumboro, DE 19945, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
strangest town names in Delaware April 07, 2020 Kim Magaraci What are the most charming small towns in Delaware? Some of the most charming small towns in Delaware are along our bayshore. Visit Lewes, Delaware City, Leipsic, and Bowers Beach to get a taste of shore life without suffocating summertime crowds. Where is the best place to live in Delaware? If you love small town life, it’s hard to beat settling down in Bowers Beach. This tiny fishing community seems frozen in time. If natural beauty is what you’re seeking, try Laurel! It’s a beautiful town close to Trap Pond State Park. If you love the small town feel but want to be close to everything you could need, Hockessin and Newark may be right up your alley. And if big city life is the life for you, settle down in Wilmington. Trolley Square is an up-and-coming neighborhood you may love. What is the largest city in Delaware? Wilmington is the largest city in Delaware, with a population of more than 71,000 residents. Some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods include Trolley Square, Quaker Hill, The Triangle, and the Riverfront.
The OIYS Visitor Center
strangest town names in Delaware
April 07, 2020
Kim Magaraci
What are the most charming small towns in Delaware? Some of the most charming small towns in Delaware are along our bayshore. Visit Lewes, Delaware City, Leipsic, and Bowers Beach to get a taste of shore life without suffocating summertime crowds. Where is the best place to live in Delaware? If you love small town life, it’s hard to beat settling down in Bowers Beach. This tiny fishing community seems frozen in time. If natural beauty is what you’re seeking, try Laurel! It’s a beautiful town close to Trap Pond State Park. If you love the small town feel but want to be close to everything you could need, Hockessin and Newark may be right up your alley. And if big city life is the life for you, settle down in Wilmington. Trolley Square is an up-and-coming neighborhood you may love. What is the largest city in Delaware? Wilmington is the largest city in Delaware, with a population of more than 71,000 residents. Some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods include Trolley Square, Quaker Hill, The Triangle, and the Riverfront.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the most charming small towns in Delaware are along our bayshore. Visit Lewes, Delaware City, Leipsic, and Bowers Beach to get a taste of shore life without suffocating summertime crowds.
Where is the best place to live in Delaware?
If you love small town life, it’s hard to beat settling down in Bowers Beach. This tiny fishing community seems frozen in time. If natural beauty is what you’re seeking, try Laurel! It’s a beautiful town close to Trap Pond State Park. If you love the small town feel but want to be close to everything you could need, Hockessin and Newark may be right up your alley. And if big city life is the life for you, settle down in Wilmington. Trolley Square is an up-and-coming neighborhood you may love.
What is the largest city in Delaware?
Wilmington is the largest city in Delaware, with a population of more than 71,000 residents. Some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods include Trolley Square, Quaker Hill, The Triangle, and the Riverfront.
