3 Cities in Arizona with Names That Sound Totally Made Up

When you look at Arizona's history, it's obvious the founders of our state were not just tough and tenacious; they also had a sense of humor.

There are places in Arizona with Spanish names, and some have monikers with a Native American influence, but it seems they chose names so unique that you have to put in a great deal of effort just to pronounce or spell them.

Even the towns with English names sound made up. Naming a location usually conveys something about its history, the folks who founded it, or its character or scenery. I think the people who named some of the towns in Arizona not only tried to capture these qualities but also seemed to place tongue firmly in cheek when bestowing names on some of these townsites.

Get our free mobile app

Some Popular Names of Towns in Arizona

Here are some notable names of Arizona locations:

Spanish: Ajo, Casa Grande, Sahuarita.

Native American: Ahwatukee, Huachuca, Chiricahua.

English: Show Low, Tombstone, Nothing.

Every name I listed above is a real place in Arizona.  There are so many weird and unusual place names in Arizona; this article could be 100 pages long, but I'm going to focus on three unique, crazy, and strangely named cities in Arizona.

Arizona is alive with history and culture. Learn Why Día De Los Muertos Is Significant In Arizona's Culture

What’s the Buzz about Bumble Bee?

If you’re cruising down I-17 and spot a sign for Bumble Bee, you haven’t just entered a Pixar movie. Bumble Bee could now be considered a ghost town, and these days, it's more of a roadside curiosity.

Legend has it that the town got its name from a group of gold prospectors who stumbled upon a bumblebee nest filled with honey. While it wasn't the gold they were looking for, I'm sure they were excited to find this cache of sweet nectar in the desert. Tragedy struck—again and again—as the group was almost immediately stung into oblivion.

To commemorate this auspicious find, naturally, they named the creek Bumble Bee Creek and added the name to the town around 1870. Today, Bumble Bee is a mere hint of its former self, but it still buzzes with Wild West appeal.

Challenge yourself: How Many Arizona Place Names Can YOU Pronounce?

Why is Why called…Why?

This story is more proof that the founders of Arizona are not just creative, they're adaptable. Why is not just a question, it's a real place.

Why, Arizona is near the Mexican border. It was named because two highways, State Routes 85 and 86, used to meet in a Y-shaped intersection.

The founders planned to name the city "Y". However, Arizona law required town names to have at least three letters, so the founders shrugged and said, “Fine, let’s just call it Why.” And honestly, that’s the kind of passive-aggressive brilliance you would expect in the Grand Canyon State.

Why is now a tiny community carrying a big existential question in its name. If you’ve ever wanted to ask, “Why am I here?” this is literally the place to do it.

Is Skull Valley as Metal as it Sounds?

Let's be honest, Skull Valley sounds like the name of a heavy metal album. I'd like to tell you the name of this town was meant to be ironic, but in true Arizona fashion, it's a little more literal.

This appellation allegedly comes from a battlefield littered with skulls. One origin story claims that it was named in the aftermath of a conflict involving Native tribes; another asserts that it was memorialized after white settlers met a grim fate. Either way, someone decided that a literal, macabre name was the way to go.

Despite its creepy name, Skull Valley is a sleepy little place with a history museum, hiking trails, and a general store. So, in the most Arizona way possible, you can buy snacks and contemplate your mortality all in one stop.