What’s in a name? When it comes to towns in West Virginia, plenty. There is a story behind every one of them.
Here are 17 such stories that I thought were interesting. For a more complete list of the reasons West Virginia towns are named what they are, see this website.
- Eleanor in Putnam County
Angie/Flickr This town was named for Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin Roosevelt
- Pie in Mingo County
Stephanie/Flickr The town was reportedly named by a resident who really liked pie regardless of kind. And who could blame him?
- Mullens in Wyoming County
NASKWV/Flickr Named for a landowner there, Andrew Jackson Mullins, but it was inadvertently misspelled. Later residents voted to keep the incorrect spelling.
- Jumping Branch in Summers County
Jamiev_03 Named for a log that fell over a creek, making an easy place to cross the creek.
- Matoaka in Mercer County
Mark Plummer/Flickr Matoaka is another name for Pocahontas, the Indian princess.
- Friendly in Tyler County
Mike/Flickr This town in Tyler County that has a population of 132 people was not named such because its residents were a lot nicer than the people in your town. It was likely named after Friend Cochrane Williamson, the grandson of an early settler, Thomas Williamson.
- Liverpool in Roane County
Craig Wilkinson/Flickr The town in Roane County was named for the pictured city in England that goes by the same name.
- Maplewood in Fayette County
Jerry Edmundson/Flickr Named for a large maple tree.
- Cairo in Ritchie County
Mike/Flickr Named for the city in Egypt.
- Ceredo in Wayne County
Youngamerican Named for Ceres, the Greek goddess of grain and harvest.
- Hurricane in Putnam County
Sarah Cooper/Flickr Named for Hurricane Creek, which was named because when George Washington sent surveyors to the area, the men saw a group of trees at the river bent in one direction, and noted that it looked like the place had been struck by a hurricane.
- Lost Creek in Harrison County
Jon Dawson/Flickr Named for a message that was found carved in trees along the creek before the area was settled, according to tradition.
- Montrose in Randolph County
Carol Von Canon/Flickr Named because a lot of wild roses were growing there.
- Big Stick in Fayette County
Aragarthiel/Flickr Named for Theodore Roosevelt, who famously said to “speak softly and carry a big stick.”
- Paint Creek in Kanawha and Fayette counties
Patrick Nease/Flickr Paint Creek was named because Indians painted the trees to make their trails.
- War in McDowell County
dogberryjr/Flickr War was named for War Creek, which was named by Indians for a battle that happened near its source.
- Sistersville in Tyler County
Mike/Flickr Named for two sisters, Sarah and Delilah Wells, owners of the land there.
Do you know the story by any other West Virginia towns with interesting names? Let us know in the comments!
Angie/Flickr
This town was named for Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin Roosevelt
Stephanie/Flickr
The town was reportedly named by a resident who really liked pie regardless of kind. And who could blame him?
NASKWV/Flickr
Named for a landowner there, Andrew Jackson Mullins, but it was inadvertently misspelled. Later residents voted to keep the incorrect spelling.
Jamiev_03
Named for a log that fell over a creek, making an easy place to cross the creek.
Mark Plummer/Flickr
Matoaka is another name for Pocahontas, the Indian princess.
Mike/Flickr
This town in Tyler County that has a population of 132 people was not named such because its residents were a lot nicer than the people in your town. It was likely named after Friend Cochrane Williamson, the grandson of an early settler, Thomas Williamson.
Craig Wilkinson/Flickr
The town in Roane County was named for the pictured city in England that goes by the same name.
Jerry Edmundson/Flickr
Named for a large maple tree.
Named for the city in Egypt.
Youngamerican
Named for Ceres, the Greek goddess of grain and harvest.
Sarah Cooper/Flickr
Named for Hurricane Creek, which was named because when George Washington sent surveyors to the area, the men saw a group of trees at the river bent in one direction, and noted that it looked like the place had been struck by a hurricane.
Jon Dawson/Flickr
Named for a message that was found carved in trees along the creek before the area was settled, according to tradition.
Carol Von Canon/Flickr
Named because a lot of wild roses were growing there.
Aragarthiel/Flickr
Named for Theodore Roosevelt, who famously said to “speak softly and carry a big stick.”
Patrick Nease/Flickr
Paint Creek was named because Indians painted the trees to make their trails.
dogberryjr/Flickr
War was named for War Creek, which was named by Indians for a battle that happened near its source.
Named for two sisters, Sarah and Delilah Wells, owners of the land there.
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