If you come to Newfoundland you will notice that we have perhaps the most unusual collection of place names of any country in the world. Early Newfoundlanders were , obviously , men of imagination and wit who were at their best when leaving place names to posterity.
Here are some names that show the humorous side of the early settlers.
Jerry's Nose Nick's Nose Cove Come-by-Chance Blow-me-down Lushes Bight Bumble Bee Bight Ha Ha Bay Run-by-Guess Joe Batt's Arm
On the other hand, it is not at all difficult to appreciate the depths of despair of those who experienced hardship or disaster on the coastline. They gave us these place names.
Gripe Point Bad Bay Bleak Island Misery Point Famine Point Famish Gut Confusion Bay
Then there were the happy contented settlers, whose satisfaction is reflected in these place names.
Heart's Desire Heart's Content Safe Harbour Heart's Delight Comfort Cove Little Heart's Ease Sweet Bay Cupids
Early settlers shoowed their good housekeeping skills with names like these.
Plate Cove Ladle Cove Table Cove Bread Island Cheese Island Tea Cove Broom Point Bacon Cove Traytown
Apparently no one was colour blind in those days, at least there are many colourful place names.
Black Island Red Island White Bay Blue Cove Dark Cove
The animal world gets more than its fair share of mention.
Lion's Den Horse Chops Cow Head Otter Point Fox Roost Pigeon Island Gull Island Gander Bay Dog Fish Point
It is, of course , impossible to list all the unusual place names in Newfoundland here. There are literally thousands of other names which are just as attractive and some even more unusual as those cantained here. Many are used just by the locals and can not be found on a map. The origin of many Newfoundland place names is a fascination study in itself, and at some time or other, nearly all her historians have devoted considerable time and research in an endeavour to explain just some of them. Whether interest is academic or merely casual, however, the unique quality of our Provincial place names must fire the imagination of everyone, resident or visitor.
