Most Common City Names in the US

Place names repeat across the United States far more often than most people realize, sometimes dozens of times over. A single name like Washington appears in 88 different places nationwide, while Springfield, Franklin, and Greenville each show up in dozens of states. These repetitions are not just a trivia quirk. They regularly cause confusion in addresses, travel planning, genealogy research, and even emergency services when multiple towns share the same name.

The situation becomes even more complicated in parts of New York and New England, where towns, villages, and hamlets often share identical names while existing as separate jurisdictions. Someone who says they are from “Albion, New York” could be referring to the town of Albion, the village of Albion located within that town, or another nearby community that partially overlaps Albion’s boundaries. In these cases, the same place name can point to multiple, legally distinct locations that exist side by side, sometimes sharing services but not governance.

These overlapping names reflect how American communities developed. Many towns were named after presidents, early settlers, religious figures, or familiar European cities, with little concern for duplication across state lines or even within the same county. The result is a national map filled with repeated place names, some appearing a handful of times and others appearing dozens of times. The rankings below highlight the most common city and town names in the United States and just how widespread they really are.

Most Common Town And City Names In The US

1. Washington - 88

With 88 cities and towns named Washington across the country, it is the most common place name in the U.S. This widespread usage stems directly from George Washington, the first president, whose legacy made his name a popular choice for new settlements during the 18th and 19th centuries. As communities expanded westward, naming a town Washington was often a patriotic gesture and a way to assert legitimacy or national pride.

The most famous example is Washington, DC, which was intentionally named to honor George Washington while serving as the country’s permanent seat of government. Outside the capital, however, the name Washington appears in nearly every region of the country. The state of Washington is perhaps the best known example, named after the president despite being located on the opposite side of the continent from where he lived or governed.

Several notable cities also share the name. Washington, Pennsylvania was established in the 1780s and asserts that it is one of the earliest communities named after George Washington while he was still alive. Washington, Missouri is located along the Missouri River and exemplifies the naming pattern typical of frontier towns. Meanwhile, Washington, Utah introduces further confusion, especially for travelers who tend to think the name only applies to the East Coast or Pacific Northwest.

The repetition of the name has produced its own quirks. Many Washingtons exist within counties also named Washington, and several states contain multiple Washington townships, villages, or census-designated places. As a result, addresses, legal documents, and historical records often require additional clarification to distinguish which Washington is being referenced. Despite the confusion, the name’s popularity endures, making Washington the clearest example of how a single historical figure shaped the American map more than any other.

2. Springfield - 41

With 41 cities, towns, and villages sharing the name, Springfield ranks second among the most common place names in the United States. The earliest and most influential of these is Springfield, Massachusetts, founded in 1636 by William Pynchon. The town was named after Springfield, following the English tradition of transplanting familiar place names to the New World. Its location along the Connecticut River helped establish it early on as a regional center for trade and settlement.

Springfield, Massachusetts, played a significant role in American history and industrial growth. In the late 18th century, George Washington chose the city for the Springfield Armory, which became a key weapons manufacturing site. The armory was a pioneer in mass production methods that impacted manufacturing across the country, helping Springfield become a global leader during the Industrial Revolution.

As the United States expanded westward, the name Springfield traveled with it. Settlers often reused the name to evoke fertile land, stability, and familiarity, which explains why Springfields now appear across the Midwest, South, and West. Many of these towns developed independently, often unaware that dozens of others already shared the name.

Springfield also holds a unique place in popular culture. The long-running television series The Simpsons is famously set in a fictional Springfield, intentionally designed to be geographically ambiguous. The show’s creators chose the name precisely because it was so common, allowing viewers nationwide to imagine the town as their own. As a result, Springfield has become both a historically significant place name and a cultural shorthand for the idea of an average American town.

3. Franklin - 35

Ranking third on the list, Franklin appears in 35 different cities and towns across the United States. It is the second-most-common place name honoring a founding father, reflecting Benjamin Franklin's lasting influence on early American identity. As new communities formed throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, naming a town Franklin signaled admiration for his intellect, civic values, and practical contributions to the young nation.

Benjamin Franklin played a central role in shaping the United States at home and abroad. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence, promoted unity among the colonies, and served as the U.S. Ambassador to France, where his diplomacy was critical in securing French support during the Revolutionary War. Franklin also established the nation’s first national communication network through the postal service, reinforcing his reputation as an institution builder. Towns bearing his name reflect that broad legacy, honoring not a single achievement but a lifetime of public service and innovation.

4. Greenville - 30

Next on the list is Greenville, a name used by 30 cities and towns across the United States. Unlike names associated with presidents or founding figures, Greenville is descriptive, emphasizing the natural landscape instead of historical persons. Early settlers often chose this name to highlight fertile land, rolling hills, forests, or river valleys, making it especially common in areas where agriculture and scenic scenery influenced early growth.

Greenville, South Carolina, established in 1786 and named for its verdant landscape, stands as one of the earliest and most notable examples. Over the years, the name spread westward as various communities adopted familiar names that conveyed growth and prosperity. Nowadays, Greenville appears far beyond the Southeast, even in places like Greenville, California, illustrating how a straightforward landscape-inspired name became a widespread staple across the American map.

5. Bristol - 29

With 29 cities and towns bearing the name, Bristol ranks among the most common place names in the United States. Its popularity traces back to Bristol, one of England’s most economically important port cities during the colonial era. As English settlers established new communities in North America, they often reused familiar place names from home, especially those associated with trade, stability, and prosperity.

Several well-known American Bristols are found in the eastern United States, including Bristol, Virginia; Bristol, Connecticut; and Bristol, Tennessee. Bristol, Tennessee, holds particular cultural significance as the birthplace of country music, where the 1927 Bristol Sessions helped launch the careers of early legends and shaped the genre’s future. Together, these towns reflect how a single English city name became embedded in American geography and cultural history.

6. Clinton - 29

Tied with Bristol, Clinton appears in 29 cities and towns across the United States, with three located in New York State alone. Unlike many place names borrowed from Europe, Clinton gained popularity through American political history, spreading as new communities chose names tied to national leadership and public achievement.

The name is primarily linked to DeWitt Clinton, a US senator and long-serving governor of New York. His most lasting legacy was advocating for the Erie Canal project, a major infrastructure initiative that revolutionized trade, sped up westward expansion, and helped make New York an economic hub. As towns developed during the 19th century, many chose the name Clinton to honor his impact, making it one of the most frequently used place names across the United States.

7. Fairview - 27

Next on the list is Fairview, a name shared by 27 cities and towns across the United States. Unlike names tied to historical figures or foreign cities, Fairview appears to have originated as a descriptive term. In many cases, the name is believed to refer to scenic surroundings that offered settlers what they considered a “fair view,” whether of open farmland, rolling hills, or nearby waterways. Its broad, appealing meaning made it easy to reuse as communities developed across different regions.

Fairview, Utah, is one of the earliest and most notable examples, established by Mormon settlers in the mid-19th century. As with many Fairviews across the country, its name highlighted both the natural landscape and the settlers' appreciation for the area’s scenic beauty. The widespread use of the name Fairview demonstrates how straightforward, positive place names often spread just as extensively as those named after well-known figures.

8. Salem - 26

Salem is another widely used place name in the United States, appearing in 26 cities and towns nationwide. The most famous of these is Salem, Massachusetts, which is closely associated with the 1692 Salem witch trials. During this period of mass hysteria, 19 people were executed by hanging, and one man died after being pressed to death, all after being falsely accused of witchcraft. The events left a lasting mark on American history and made Salem one of the most recognizable town names in the country.

The name itself predates the trials and comes from the biblical word “Salem,” meaning peace. As residents from Massachusetts and other early colonies moved westward, they often reused familiar place names from their former homes. This practice helped spread the name Salem across multiple states, where it became attached to towns with no direct connection to the original trials. Today, Salem stands as both a historically charged name and a reminder of how early settlement patterns shaped the repetition of place names across the US.

9. Madison - 24

With 24 cities, towns and villages sharing the name, Madison ranks next among the most common place names in the United States. The name’s popularity is directly tied to James Madison, the nation’s fourth president and one of its most influential founders. As new settlements formed during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, naming a town Madison became a way to honor his role in shaping the country’s political foundation.

James Madison’s most significant legacy is his key role in drafting the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which earned him the moniker “Father of the Constitution.” He also collaborated closely with George Washington to help establish the new federal government during its formative years. Madison, Wisconsin, a prominent city named after him, serves as the state capital and symbolizes how the name Madison is linked to civic importance, governance, and national identity.

10. Georgetown - 23

Rounding out the list is Georgetown, a name shared by 23 cities and towns across the United States. Like several other common place names, Georgetown reflects early American naming traditions that favored familiar or prestigious references, especially those tied to influential individuals or monarchs. As settlers moved into new regions, the name was reused repeatedly, helping it spread across multiple states.

One of the best-known examples today is the Georgetown neighborhood in Washington, DC, founded around 1745 by George Gordon and George Beall. Historians have long debated whether the area was named after its founders or in honor of George II, who was king of Great Britain at the time. Regardless of its exact origin, Georgetown became a well-known and respected place name, inspiring its adoption by towns across the country and securing its place among the most frequently repeated city names in the United States.