Colleges with Weird Names: Unique University Names & Their Origins

Key Takeaways

• Many colleges with weird names are not random. Their names often reflect geography, language shifts, religious roots, or historical figures.
• Some of the funniest college names in the United States are centuries old and tied to Indigenous, Dutch, German, or French origins.
• Unusual university names are common worldwide, not just in the U.S.
• Acronyms, name changes, and translations often explain why a school sounds strange in modern English.
• Understanding the origin of university names adds academic depth beyond simple humor.

Why Some Colleges Have Weird Names

Searches for “colleges with weird names” and “funny college names” are usually driven by curiosity. But what sounds odd today often made perfect sense when the institution was founded. Many unusual university names fall into five categories:

• Indigenous place names later Anglicized
• Religious or denominational naming traditions
• Foreign language origins that sound unusual in English
• Acronyms that became official names
• Named after individuals whose names are unfamiliar today

Below is a curated, research-based list of real schools with unique names and the verified stories behind them.

Funny College Names in the United States and Their Origins

Bob Jones University

Located in Greenville, South Carolina, Bob Jones University is frequently cited among schools with unusual names. While it sounds fictional, it is named after evangelist Bob Jones Sr., who founded the institution in 1927. The school’s straightforward naming reflects a strong tradition in American religious higher education.

Oral Roberts University

Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oral Roberts University sometimes raises eyebrows because of its founder’s name. Evangelist Oral Roberts established the university in 1963. The name “Oral” was given to him at birth and does not carry modern comedic intent. The institution is fully accredited and known for its charismatic Christian roots.

Ithaca College

Ithaca College in New York sounds poetic rather than strange, but its classical Greek origin surprises many. “Ithaca” is the legendary home of Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey. The city adopted the classical name in the 19th century, and the college followed when it was established in 1892.

Ball State University

Located in Muncie, Indiana, Ball State University is named after the Ball family, industrialists who funded the school in 1918. The surname predates any humor tied to the modern English word, making it a classic case of historical naming clashing with contemporary slang.

Grand Canyon University

This Arizona-based private Christian university seems oddly named because it is located in Phoenix, not directly inside the Grand Canyon. The name was chosen in 1949 to represent regional pride and natural heritage.

Friends University

Friends University in Wichita, Kansas often causes confusion. The institution was founded by members of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers. The name reflects religious identity, not a casual tone.

Huston-Tillotson University

This Austin, Texas university is sometimes mistaken for a typo of “Houston.” In fact, it merges the names of benefactors George Huston and Reverend Edward Tillotson after two institutions merged in 1952.

Colleges with Indigenous or Unusual Geographic Names

Skidmore College

Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, sounds unusual but is named after its founder, Lucy Skidmore Scribner, in 1903. The surname likely derives from Old English occupational roots.

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania combines “Swarthmoor,” an English town significant to Quaker history, with “mere,” meaning lake. Founded in 1864, the name preserves its religious heritage.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

While not funny, MIT demonstrates how long or technical institutional names can sound unusual in full form. The name reflects a 19th-century emphasis on industrial progress and applied science.

Pitzer College

Pitzer College in California is named after Russell K. Pitzer, a citrus grower and philanthropist. The name may sound modern or invented, but it reflects family lineage.

Ypsilanti (Eastern Michigan University’s City)

The city of Ypsilanti, home to Eastern Michigan University, often ranks high in unusual place name discussions. It is named after Demetrios Ypsilantis, a hero of the Greek War of Independence. The linguistic shift into English makes it appear uncommon.

International Universities with Unique Names

Unusual university names are not limited to the United States. Globally, linguistic differences often produce names that sound unexpected in English.

UniversityCountryOrigin of the NameUniversity of the Free StateSouth AfricaNamed after the Orange Free State province, reflecting regional history.Jönköping UniversitySwedenNamed for its city; diacritics create unfamiliar pronunciation in English.University of WaikatoNew ZealandNamed after the Waikato River; derived from Māori language.Waseda UniversityJapanNamed after the village of Waseda in Tokyo; established in 1882.Université Paris CitéFranceModern restructuring name combining historic Paris institutions.

Many international institutions appear unusual primarily due to translation or cultural unfamiliarity rather than inherent strangeness.

Acronym-Based Colleges That Sound Unusual

SMU (Southern Methodist University)

In Texas, SMU is widely recognized by its acronym, which can appear ambiguous outside context. Founded in 1911, its full name reflects Methodist origins.

BYU (Brigham Young University)

Brigham Young University is named after the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The abbreviated form BYU is far more common in conversation.

IUPUI

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, commonly known as IUPUI, is often cited as one of the most unusual university names in the U.S. The name reflects a collaborative administrative structure between two major state universities.

Why Weird University Names Persist

Universities rarely change their names, even if modern language trends create unintended humor. There are four main reasons:

• Brand equity: Established names carry decades or centuries of academic reputation.
• Alumni identity: Graduates strongly associate with institutional tradition.
• Legal and accreditation processes: Name changes are complex and costly.
• Historical preservation: Many institutions see their names as living artifacts.

What sounds strange today often becomes normalized through reputation. Princeton, for example, was once formally known as the College of New Jersey. Over time, familiarity reshapes perception.

Cultural and Linguistic Factors Behind Unusual School Names

Several linguistic dynamics explain why schools with unusual names attract attention:

• Phonetic shifts: Words adopted centuries ago sound different in modern English.
• Anglicization: Indigenous or foreign terms altered to fit English spelling conventions.
• Semantic drift: Words change meaning over time, creating unintended humor.
• Religious naming customs: Many 18th and 19th century colleges were explicitly faith-based.

Understanding these dynamics provides context that transforms a “funny college name” into a reflection of migration patterns, colonial history, or theological tradition.

How to Research the Origin of Any University Name

Curious about other colleges with weird names? Use this quick research framework:

1. Check the university’s official “About” or “History” page.
2. Search for founding donors or religious affiliations.
3. Investigate whether the name originated from a city or region.
4. Look up linguistic roots if the word appears foreign.
5. Review state or national historical archives for naming records.

This deeper investigative approach moves beyond entertainment and delivers educational value, which is why readers searching for unusual university names often stay longer on comprehensive resources.

Frequently Asked Questions about Weird College Names

Why do some colleges have such weird or funny names?

Most “weird” college names come from history. They often reflect older place names, religious roots, foreign languages, or the last names of founders and donors that made sense when the school opened.

Are colleges with funny names real and accredited?

Yes. Schools like Bob Jones University, Oral Roberts University, and Ball State University are fully real institutions. Their names may sound funny today, but they follow normal accreditation and academic standards.

Do weird college names hurt a school’s reputation?

Usually not. Over time, employers and the public focus more on a school’s quality and alumni than its name. Long history, strong programs, and active alumni networks matter more than whether the name sounds unusual.

Why don’t universities just change strange-sounding names?

You rarely see name changes because a college name holds brand value, alumni loyalty, legal records, and historical meaning. Changing it can be costly, confusing, and risky for the school’s identity.

How can you find the origin of a college’s unusual name?

You can start with the school’s “About” or history page, then check who founded or funded it, where it is located, and what language the name comes from. State or national archives can also help you confirm the story.