New York is full of places that sound like they were named as a joke — but somehow, they’re very real, very historic, and in many cases, actually worth a visit.
From villages that sound like formalwear brands to hamlets that feel like they belong on the back of a cereal box, these towns prove that upstate naming conventions were… creative, to say the least.
Here are 10 New York towns with names so bizarre they stop you mid-scroll — and why each one is surprisingly interesting once you look closer.
Tuxedo, NY
The vibe: Fancy on paper, rugged in reality
It sounds like a place where everyone wears black tie, but Tuxedo is actually a mountain enclave tucked into the Ramapo Mountains — and yes, this is where the tuxedo jacket was popularized in the 1880s at the ultra-exclusive Tuxedo Park club.
The irony?
The town’s name predates the outfit and comes from a Lenape (Algonquian) word, not formalwear.
Today, it’s part Gilded Age history and part serious nature escape —with access to Harriman State Park, scenic drives, and home to the highly-known New York Renaissance Faire.
Butternuts, NY
The vibe: Sounds edible, smells like hops
Butternuts sounds like a rejected snack brand, but the name comes from the butternut trees that once filled the valley.
These days, it’s better known for Butternuts Beer & Ale, one of the most beloved craft breweries in the region.
Pair a tasting here with a stop at Fly Creek Cider Mill nearby, and you’ve got a very upstate version of a perfect weekend — apples, beer, and slow-rolling scenery.
Triangle, NY
The vibe: Geometry class…but make it rural
Triangle is called Triangle because… it’s shaped like one. Literally.
The town sits on a triangular slice of land formed by early surveying lines, and no one bothered to get more poetic than that.
It’s quiet, low-key, and close to family-friendly attractions like Ross Park Zoo and Chenango Valley State Park, making it a surprisingly useful stop if you’re road-tripping the Southern Tier.
Horseheads, NY
The vibe: Grim origin, wholesome present
Yes, the name sounds intense — and the legend behind it kind of is.
During the Revolutionary War, soldiers reportedly left the skulls of exhausted horses here, marking the trail for those who followed.
Today, Horseheads is a friendly Finger Lakes gateway town with aviation museums, local breweries, and quick access to Watkins Glen and Seneca Lake.
Dark name, very normal (and pleasant) place!
Cumminsville, NY
The vibe: Middle-school humor meets rural quiet
There’s no way around it — this name gets laughs.
But Cumminsville is actually named after early settler John Cummins and is one of the smallest places on this list with only 98 residents (as of 2023).
What it lacks in population, it makes up for in location.
It sits near waterfalls, gorges, and Stony Brook State Park — plus it’s close enough to Dansville to pair hiking with chocolate factory tours.
Truthville, NY
The vibe: Sounds like a philosophy experiment
Truthville feels like a place where everyone either tells the truth or lies constantly — but the name simply comes from the Truth family, who settled the area centuries ago.
Today, it’s a quiet hamlet surrounded by forests, wetlands, and cider spots, perfect for people who want unplugged walks, nature sounds, and zero crowds.
No truth serum required.
Weedsport, NY
The vibe: Not what you think (but people think it anyway)
Despite the name, Weedsport has nothing to do with marijuana and everything to do with the Erie Canal.
It was named after the Weed brothers, early settlers who helped turn it into a canal hub.
Now it’s best known for dirt-track racing, canal walks, and farm-stand food — plus a museum entirely dedicated to motorsports.
Climax, NY
The vibe: You’re here for the sign
Climax is the most obvious double-take on the list, but the name actually refers to the highest point on a local railroad line — the “climax” of the climb.
It’s tiny, quiet, and surrounded by Hudson Valley farmland and Catskill foothills.
Most people come for the photo of the hilarious “Welcome to Climax” sign, then stay for a peaceful walk or scenic drive.
Calcium, NY
The vibe: Strong bones, stronger name
Calcium sounds like a vitamin aisle, but the town was named for local limestone quarries rich in calcium carbonate.
It sits near Fort Drum and the Thousand Islands region, making it a base for river adventures, rafting, and North Country exploring.
It’s less about the name and more about the outdoors — but the name definitely sticks.
Coxsackie, NY
The vibe: You’ve heard the word, just not like this
Pronounced cook-SACK-ee, Coxsackie gets its name from an Algonquin word meaning “place of the owls” — though many people associate it with the virus first identified here in the 1940s.
Name aside, it’s one of the prettiest Hudson River towns around, with a charming riverfront, Dutch-era history, and a lovely downtown that’s worth a stroll.