10 places with Christmas-related names
Last updated: Thursday April 21st, 2022
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- 1- Christmas Island, Australia
- 2- Natal, Brazil
- 3- Santa Claus, United States
- 4- Barra de Navidad, Mexico
- 5- North Pole Lake, Canada
- 6- Christmas Mountains, United States
- 7- Kiritimati Atoll (Christmas Island), Kiribati
- 8- Noëlville, Canada
- 9- Reno, United States
- 10- Other 'Christmas Islands' around the world
1- Christmas Island, Australia
This is, perhaps, one of the most well-known places whose name is related to Christmas. It is one of Australia's external territories, although it is actually a lot closer to Java, Indonesia. It has abaout 1 800 residents. And, where does its name come from? Well, you probably didn't expect this but the island was discovered on the 25th of December, 1643.
Fun Fact, the capital city of the island is called 'Flying Fish Cove', which I think is a hilarious name.
2- Natal, Brazil
'Natal' means Christmas in Portuguese, that's why it is on this list. It is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte and had a population of 890 480 people as of 2020 by city proper, and almost twice as much on its urban area.
Once again, the reason why its name is literally 'Christmas' is beacuse it was founded on the 25th of December, 1599.
Natal is Brazil's closest city to Europe.
3- Santa Claus, United States
This town of 2 411 inhabitants in Indiana is named after the famous present-giving red man. The town takes naming things after Christmas to another level, since here you can find places like: Christmas Lake, Rudolph Boulevard or December 25th Lane.
They even have a Santa Claus museum!
4- Barra de Navidad, Mexico
This Mexican town is located in the state of Jalisco and its name means 'Christmas Sandbar'.
It is a small fishing community in the Bahía de Navidad (literally 'Christmas Bay'). Its beaches are its main tourist attarction. In its origins, it was used as a port for Spanish expeditions to the Philippines.
5- North Pole Lake, Canada
Although its name might sound exciting, it is just one of the many. many lakes in Canada. If you are able to get there (it's located in Northern Nunavut, far from significant towns), its landscape is stunning, though!
6- Christmas Mountains, United States
Not much to say about this one, really. These mountains are located in the US state of Texas, not far from the Mexican border and close to Big Bend National Park
They're not exactly what you picture when you think of Christmas, I would say...
By the way, the tallest peak is called 'Christmas Mountains High Point' (US place name originality at its best)
7- Kiritimati Atoll (Christmas Island), Kiribati
Okay, so this is probably the weirdest entry in this list. Kiritimati derives from the English word 'Christmas' and the atoll is also known by the name of 'Christmas Island'.
This place has had many jokes made about the town names that you can find here. If you don't know them, there are five towns in this atoll: Paris, London, Tabwakea, Poland and Banana.
Another fun fact: Spain technically can claim this atoll, since when it sold its island territories in the Pacific to Germany, Kiritimati wasn't mentioned in the treaty. However, no Spanish government has been interested in this.
8- Noëlville, Canada
This Canadian town located close to the French River in the province of Ontario has a name that means 'Christmas City' in French.
Funnily enough, it wasn't named after Christmas, but rather after Noël Desmarais, the village's first merchant.
9- Reno, United States
For those who don't know, 'Reno' means 'Reindeer' in Spanish.
Reno is the second most populous metro area in Nevada, after Las Vegas, it is located near the state border with California, and just as the previous Canadian city, it wasn't actually named like that because of reindeers, but because of a man, Jesse L. Reno, a general that died in the US Civil War.
Similarly to Las Vegas, the city has been a popular spot for casinos. It also benefits from being close to Sierra Nevada (the one in the US, not the one in Spain), Lake Tahoe and a few ski resorts.
10- Other 'Christmas Islands' around the world
I've already mentioned two Christmas Islands, but if you thought there aren't any more, you're wrong. There's actually a few more, though these are not inhabited and are rather small.
- Christmas Island, Jamaica -
A small island off the coast of Portland parish.
- Christmas Island, Zimbabwe -
A really small island on the Zimbabwean side of lake Kariba, which the country shares with Zambia. Elephant Island is also located nearby.
- Christmas Island, Australia -
Yes, Australia doesn't have only one Christmas Island, it has two! This one is part of the state of Tasmania. It is just south of New Year Island.
- Little Christmas Island, Australia -
Yet another one in Australia! This one is little, though. I guess that makes it different.
This one is also in Tasmania, in Mayfield Bay (wrong month, I suppose)
Well, that's all I had for today. Feel free to comment about any other place like these you know! Hope you enjoyed and learned something new!
I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
¡Os deseo una feliz Navidad y un próspero año nuevo!
Joyeux Noël et bonne année a tous!
Feliz Natal e bom Ano Novo!
Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!
Btw, there is a municipality in Mato Grosso called Feliz Natal, which is Merry Christmas in Portuguese. So... Feliz Natal!!
And I didn't know about Feliz Natal, but it seems like a strange name for a municipality (although I've seen weirder names). It reminded me that I forgot to add Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Portuguese. I'll add it now
And thank you! It’s a beautiful city... then, add in Italian please lol
And yeah, it took some work, especially since I was not super familiar with the blog editor yet
Thanks!
Btw, glad you like my blogs!