Arizona’s Weirdest Town Names Make You Wonder What They Were Thinking

If there’s one thing Arizona’s founders proved, besides being ornery and tough as nails, it’s that they seemed to have a good sense of humor.

Sure, plenty of places in Arizona have Spanish names like Ajo (garlic) and Casa Grande (Big House) or Native American names like Huachuca and Chiricahua (bless you!). But then there are towns with names so strange they sound like someone lost a bet.

I’m talking about locales with some really odd monikers. If you’re thinking about Tombstone, you’re on the right track. Here are three more to get your wheels turning.

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Bumble Bee Still Has a Little Buzz

Travel I-17, and you might spot signs for Bumble Bee and wonder if you accidentally stumbled into a cartoon.

According to local lore, the former mining town allegedly got its name after prospectors discovered a large bumblebee nest near a creek. The honey was sweet. The angry bees, not so much.

The name stuck, and Bumble Bee became part of Arizona history. Today, it's mostly a ghost town, but it still attracts curious travelers.

READ: Why Día De Los Muertos Is Significant In Arizona's Culture

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Why? Well... Why Not?

Somewhere near the Mexican border sits the tiny community of Why. No, seriously, that's the town’s name: Why.

As the story goes, State Routes 85 and 86 run right through the town. They once met at a Y-shaped intersection. Residents wanted to call the town "Y," but Arizona had other plans. There was a rule that required town names to contain at least three letters. Their solution? Add two more and call it "Why."

Honestly, this might be the most Arizona thing ever.

RELATED: How Many Arizona Place Names Can YOU Pronounce?

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Skull Valley Sounds Scarier Than It Is

Then there's Skull Valley, a name that sounds more like a heavy metal band than a small Arizona community.

No, this isn’t home to Arizona’s first multi-day rock festival. The name is linked to stories of old conflicts that happened in the area.

There are some really creepy anecdotes about skulls found there long ago. Thankfully, modern Skull Valley is less freaky and more welcoming. They’ve got some great hiking, an interesting local history, and small-town charm.

Arizona has some strange place names, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.