This place literally has laughter in its name! “Ha! Ha!” Situated near Rivière-du-Loup, it’s home to just 1 318 people. The reason for the name, however, isn’t comedic; rather, “Ha! Ha!” refers to an unexpected obstacle, perhaps a road that ended abruptly at nearby Lake Témiscouata…Source: Wikimedia Commons
Saint-Sévère
This name literally translates to “Saint Strict” or “Saint Severe”. Although the name may seem unwelcoming, the municipality’s motto is just the opposite: “Where the people’s welcome is equalled only by the scenery’s beauty.” It’s nearby Trois-Rivières.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Mayo
Yep, you read that right… This town seems like it could be named after the shortened word “mayonnaise”! In actuality, the town was so named because its surrounding hills resemble those of Mayo, Ireland.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Les Boules
This Mitis town’s name can literally be translated as “the balls”, although the reason it was so named is unclear. It certainly takes some “balls” to name your town this way! Today, Les Boules no longer exists, having merged with the nearby municipality of Métis-sur-Mer.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
La Tuque
This town’s name translates literally to “The Toque” or “The Hat”, and is so named after the popular winter garments worn to protect one’s head from the cold. A nearby rock resembles a “toque”, and so the northerly town of 11 000 got its unusual name.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Sainte-Barbe
This Montérégie town on the South shore of the Saint-Lawrence is located just West of Valleyfield. Its name literally means “Saint Beard”!Source: Google Street View
Cap-Chat
This Haute-Gaspésie town is named after a cat! A local legend tells the tale of a cat that hunted animals along the shore… A “cat fairy” then accused the cat of eating its offspring and turned it to stone.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
