In addition to its maple syrup, hockey, and stunning scenery, Canada is the birthplace of some of the world’s most bizarre, humorous, and well-known city names. Canadian place names are as varied as the nation itself, ranging from grand titles derived from Indigenous languages to utterly absurd town names like Dildo and Punkeydoodles Corners.
This massive collection of more than 500 Canadian city names will provide you with history, fun, and lots of “Wait, that’s a real place?!” moments, regardless of whether you’re a traveler, a trivia enthusiast, or just someone who enjoys oddball wordplay.
The Significance of Canadian City Names
On a map, Canadian city names are more than just arbitrary terms. They share tales of identification, comedy, survival, and heritage. This is why they are unique:
Preserve Heritage: Numerous names pay tribute to French explorers, early immigrants, or Indigenous ancestry.
A spark Curiosity: People are always captivated by unusual names like Stoner or Eyebrow.
Shape Identity: A place becomes memorable if its name is humorous or unusual.
Encourage Travel: After all, who wouldn’t want to take a selfie under a “Welcome to Dildo” sign?
Famous Canadian City Names (With Origins)
Some Canadian cities are known worldwide. Their names often come from Indigenous languages, explorers, or natural landmarks.
- Toronto – From the Mohawk word tkaronto (“place where trees stand in the water”).
- Vancouver – Named after British explorer George Vancouver.
- Montreal – From French Mont Royal (“Royal Mountain”).
- Quebec City – Algonquin Kébec, meaning “where the river narrows.”
- Calgary – From Gaelic Cala ghearraidh (“bay farm”).
- Ottawa – Derived from Algonquin adawe, meaning “to trade.”
- Edmonton – Named after a town in England.
- Winnipeg – From Cree, meaning “muddy water.”
- Victoria – Honoring Queen Victoria.
- Halifax – Named after Lord Halifax, a British nobleman.
These famous Canadian city names highlight the blend of Indigenous, French, and British influences that shaped Canada.
Funny Canadian City Names (With Meanings)
Yes, these places are real—and yes, their names make people laugh every single time.
- Dildo (Newfoundland) – Likely from an old seafaring term; now a tourist favorite.
- Balls Creek (Nova Scotia) – Named after a local family, but still hilarious.
- Blow Me Down (Newfoundland) – Inspired by fierce coastal winds.
- Punkeydoodles Corners (Ontario) – Quirky innkeeper nickname gone permanent.
- Goobies (Newfoundland) – Funny sounding, mysterious origin.
- Stoner (British Columbia) – Named after settlers, but often joked about.
- Crotch Lake (Ontario) – Named for its shape, not what you’re thinking.
- Spuzzum (British Columbia) – So funny it inspired the phrase “beyond Spuzzum.”
- Moose Factory (Ontario) – A fur trade hub, but name sounds cartoonish.
- Eyebrow (Saskatchewan) – From a hill shaped like—you guessed it—an eyebrow.
These funny Canadian city names make great road trip stops, souvenir shirts, and inside jokes.
Strange Canadian City Names
Some names just sound odd, mysterious, or downright spooky:
- Deadman’s Flats
- Whiskey Gap
- Stinking Lake
- Ghost River
- Pain Court
- Mosquito
- Hungry Hill
- Skull Creek
- Desperation Lake
- Thunder Bay
These strange Canadian city names often come from folklore, legends, or odd events tied to the area.
Weird Canadian City Names
Canada also has its fair share of weird city names that sound like they belong in a comedy sketch:
- Blow Me Down
- Moose Jaw
- Spuzzum
- Medicine Hat
- Elbow
- Crotch Lake
- Hungry Hill
- Stinking Lake
- Deadman’s Flats
- Goobies
Weird doesn’t mean bad—it makes them memorable and iconic.
Difficult Canadian City Names
Some Canadian towns are tough to pronounce (especially for outsiders):
- Ukkusiksalik
- Tsiigehtchic
- Kangiqsualujjuaq
- Iqaluit
- Aklavik
- Kuujjuaq
- Kugluktuk
- Tuktoyaktuk
- Qu’Appelle
- Pond Inlet
These difficult Canadian city names mostly come from Inuit and First Nations languages, preserving culture while challenging newcomers.
Long Canadian City Names
Some places prefer length over simplicity:
- Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!
- Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
- Kakabeka Falls
- Bonavista-by-the-Sea
- North West River
- Dorchester Crossing
- Frenchman Butte
- Cape Saint Francis
- Red Deer Lake
- Port-au-Choix
Long Canadian city names often reflect local stories, geography, or legends.
Cool Canadian City Names
Some places just sound cool and adventurous:
- Whitehorse
- Thunder Bay
- Dawson City
- Yellowknife
- Banff
- Jasper
- Moonbeam
- Churchill
- Peace River
- Snow Lake
These cool Canadian city names often end up on souvenirs, t-shirts, and travel posters.
Rivers Canadian City Names
Canada’s rivers have also inspired place names:
- Red River
- Peace River
- Fraser River
- Mackenzie River
- Columbia River
- Athabasca River
- Saint Lawrence River
- Yukon River
- Saskatchewan River
- Ottawa River
Waterways shaped Canadian settlement, so it’s no surprise many cities carry river names.
Worst Canadian City Names
Some names are funny… others make locals cringe. Here are some of the worst Canadian city names:
- Toad River
- Flin Flon
- Vulcan
- Rat Portage
- Bummers Roost
- Biggar
- Climax
- Dorking
- Swastika
- Punkeydoodles Corners
They may sound odd, but hey—people remember them!
Canadian City Names for Dogs
Dog lovers often borrow Canadian names for their pets:
- Jasper
- Banff
- Moose
- Yukon
- Elbow
- Churchill
- Thunder
- Rocky
- Bear
- Red
These Canadian city names for dogs sound adventurous, rugged, and playful.
Canadian Place Names for Baby
Parents sometimes choose Canadian names for their children too:
- Aurora
- Hudson
- Dawson
- Selkirk
- Jasper
- Banff
- Yukon
- Victoria
- Athabasca
- Charlottetown
These Canadian baby names carry charm, heritage, and uniqueness.
Ontario Canada City Names
Ontario is home to some of the country’s biggest cities:
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Mississauga
- Hamilton
- Windsor
- Brampton
- London
- Kingston
- Sudbury
- Thunder Bay
These Ontario city names reflect both Indigenous and colonial roots.
Saskatchewan Canada City Names
In Saskatchewan, the names are often rural, quirky, or Indigenous:
- Saskatoon
- Regina
- Moose Jaw
- Prince Albert
- Swift Current
- Yorkton
- Estevan
- Weyburn
- North Battleford
- Lloydminster
These Saskatchewan city names balance history, humor, and prairie charm.
Inappropriate Canadian Town Names
Some names… well, they raise eyebrows:
- Dildo
- Climax
- Big Beaver
- Balls Falls
- Spread Eagle
- Swastika
- Stoner
- Bummers Roost
- Crotch Lake
- Punkeydoodles Corners
These inappropriate Canadian names prove Canada has a cheeky side.
Funny Town Names in Ontario
Ontario has its own collection of hilarious names:
- Punkeydoodles Corners
- Balls Falls
- Rat Portage
- Moose Factory
- Dorking
- Swastika
- Climax
- Crotch Lake
- Big Beaver
- Bummers Roost
These funny Ontario town names always get a laugh from visitors.
Canadian City Names in French
French influence is strong across Quebec and beyond:
- Montréal
- Québec
- Trois-Rivières
- Rimouski
- Chicoutimi
- Gatineau
- Longueuil
- Laval
- Sherbrooke
- Saint-Jérôme
These French Canadian city names preserve language and identity.
How to Invent Your Own Funny Canadian City Names
Want to make up a Canadian-style funny town name? Try these tricks:
- Mix literal geography with humor – e.g., “Crooked Moose Swamp.”
- Use animal references – “Dancing Beaver Ridge” or “Grumpy Bear Lake.”
- Play with sound – rhymes, alliterations, and silly syllables.
- Add everyday mishaps – “Lost Sock Valley” or “Stubbed Toe Point.”
- Borrow local legends – “Haunted Canoe Bay” or “Old Boot Hill.”
- Sprinkle modifiers – “Tipsy Prairie” or “Bouncy River.”
FAQs About Canadian City Names
1. How many cities are in Canada?
There are over 300 cities, ranging from megacities like Toronto to small gems like Moncton.
2. What are towns called in Canada?
They’re simply called towns, though provinces set different size requirements. Smaller ones may be villages or hamlets.
3. What are Canada’s 13 provinces and territories?
Canada has 10 provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island) and 3 territories (Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories).
4. Why are Canadian city names so funny?
Because of their mix of Indigenous words, settler surnames, and quirky local legends.
Final Thoughts
From famous names like Toronto and Montreal to funny gems like Dildo and Punkeydoodles Corners, Canadian city names reflect heritage, humor, and uniqueness.
Whether you’re exploring weird Canadian city names, finding Canadian city names for dogs or babies, or laughing at inappropriate town names, each one tells a story worth remembering.
So next time you’re on a road trip, don’t just look at the landscape—check the signs. Canada’s names are as entertaining as the journey itself!
