Even though a lot of these bizarrely named North Dakota towns have populations of 20 or less, they’ll still leave you wondering who was in charge when they were named. You’ll get a chuckle or two from the pure absurdity of some of them. I know I really enjoyed reading and writing about all of these towns, so without further ado, I give you nine weird town names in North Dakota.

1. Zap, North Dakota
Zap, ND 58580, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
With a population of about 230, Zap once experienced an invasion of about 2000-3000 partiers traveling there in 1969 in a movement called "Zip to Zap." The mayor of Zap panicked when he suddenly discovered the huge crowd and bonfires in the middle of streets and called in the National Guard to push the crowd out of town. I heard the party was electrifying while it lasted.
2. Buttzville, North Dakota
Buttzville, ND 58054, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
It's hard not to chuckle at a name like Buttzville, no matter how mature you claim to be. Unfortunately, the town is practically empty and considered a ghost town today, which means there is a sadly small number of people who can call themselves Buttzville-ites... Buttzville-ians? However you would call a resident of Buttzville. I just wanted to say Buttzville a few more times, truthfully. Easily one of the strangest town names of North Dakota!
3. Deep, North Dakota
North Dakota, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Deep within the state of North Dakota is the town Deep, North Dakota. Actually, it's empty and not really even a town anymore. It still exists on maps, however, despite being practically nonexistent in reality. That's pretty deep, if you think about it.
4. Cannon Ball, North Dakota
Cannon Ball, ND, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
I was disappointed to find out that this town was not named after any professional cannon ball divers, or even an authentic antique cannon ball collection, or after cannons themselves, but in fact after the nearby river that has cannon ball-shaped rocks. I guess that's cool enough. At least kids from Cannon Ball can go to a pretty awesome-sounding school. Even though the town name is strange, there are unique things to do in North Dakota here!
5. Hoople, North Dakota
Hoople, ND 58243, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
I just thought this one was fun to say. I recommend saying it in a very serious, angry tone, which has a very fun effect if you're trying to break someone's straight face, or even your own.
6. Concrete, North Dakota
Concrete, ND 58220, USA
Benjamin Halpern - Library of Congress / Wikipedia
Concrete is another near-ghost town, but there is a very cute little church there. Unfortunately, it is not made entirely out of concrete, as you might be lead to believe. There is, however, a pretty cool pyramid-shaped missile defense building nearby that is made of concrete. It's been out of use since its conception back in the final years of the Cold War, and it went up for auction a few years back. One of the weird town names in North Dakota, for sure!
7. Flasher, North Dakota
Flasher, ND 58535, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
As far as I've heard, there haven't been any major incidents of public nudity in Flasher, North Dakota. However, you may want to be cautious there just in case. One of the strange town names in North Dakota, and funny, too!
8. New Town, North Dakota
New Town, ND 58763, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
The fun thing about this town name is that it was created because of a couple of other towns and areas being covered by Lake Sakakawea when the Garrison Dam was constructed. The residents that had to move founded a new town that they fittingly named New Town. I'd move here just so if people asked where I was moving to, I could say "New Town," and have a fun back and forth exchange where they reply, "I know you're moving to a new town, I'm asking WHICH town," until they give up in frustration when I keep responding with the same thing over and over again. That kind of situation can't only happen in sitcoms, right?
9. Bonetraill, North Dakota
Bonetraill, ND 58801, USA
Wikimedia
Another ghost town, but I suppose that is creepily fitting considering this town's name. Bonetraill isn't exactly the most cheerful sounding place to live. Although I think what would bother me the most is the superfluous "L" at the end, but to each their own.

While I continue quietly saying “Hoople” to myself, I’d love to know if there are any other weird town names in North Dakota you can think of. Particularly ones that are fun to say in silly voices. If you can think of any, please share them with us in the comments below.

Looking for more funny names? Check out these North Dakota towns with silly names worth visiting.

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Weird Town Names in North Dakota

Jennifer Young | July 15, 2022

What's one of the strangest town names in North Dakota?

As previously noted, North Dakota has many town names with strange names. One of the strangest town names in North Dakota is Flasher. It's highly unlikely you'll be flashed while visiting or living in this North Dakota town, but it still has a strange name nonetheless. Flasher is located in Morton County, North Dakota and was founded in 1902. With just a little more than 200 residents, it's also one of North Dakota's smallest towns. If you ever get a chance, definitely check out this North Dakota town. There might not be much here, but at least you can say you visited a North Dakota town with one of the strangest names.

What are three North Dakota weird town names that'll have you laughing out loud?

Even though North Dakota has several towns with strange names, there are a select few that'll have you laughing out loud. Listed below are three North Dakota towns with some of the funniest names you've ever heard.

  • Buttzville: Who wouldn't laugh after hearing the town name Buttzville? Located in Ransom County, Buttzville is practically empty, making it one of North Dakota's ghost towns.
  • Hoople: Hoople is a small town that's located in Walsh County, North Dakota. Its nickname is "Tatertown." If the town name doesn't get a chuckle out of you, surely its nickname will. After all, can you really say "Tatertown" without a laugh? I didn't think so!
  • Porcupine: Porcupine has to be one of the silliest town names ever! Located in Sioux County, North Dakota, this town has less than 200 residents. And in case you're wondering, porcupines are one of North Dakota's most disliked pests.

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