Changing the name was probably a good idea, as "shanty" is not the most flattering description for this suburban city northwest of Atlanta in Cobb County, Georgia. The original name was given in the 1830s when the Western and Atlantic Railroad was built, and shanty towns were established to house the workers. In 1887, the city’s name was changed to Kennesaw.

Image: Joe Yates

A community with an interesting name, for sure, Rough and Ready was originally named after the Rough and Ready Tavern (also known as the Bagley House), a stagecoach stop on the route from Macon to northern Georgia.

The name changed in 1956 when the community was incorporated as a city. It was renamed Mountain View—a reference to the fact that, on a clear day, Stone Mountain can be seen 20 miles to the east.

Image: Waldemar

Atlanta, Georgia, was once known as Terminus because it served as the final station of a major state-sponsored railroad. However, as time passed, several other railroads converged in the city, the largest being the Western and Atlantic Railroad— from which the name "Atlanta" comes.

Image: Gary Doughty

Although originally named New York International Airport, the 1948 facility was commonly known as Idlewild Airport. However, following the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, it was officially renamed as it is today, in his honor.

Image: Afif Ramdhasuma

There was a time when New York was called New Amsterdam. In the 17th century, the Dutch established a settlement at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, serving as the seat of the colonial government in New Netherland. It officially became a city in 1653.

However, when the English took control of New Amsterdam in 1664, they renamed it New York after the Duke of York.

Image: Luca Bravo

The third New York-area entry on our list is an island in the middle of the East River, adjacent to Manhattan. It was originally called Minnehanonck by the Native Americans and later became known as Blackwell’s Island.

In 1921, it was renamed Welfare Island, and in 1973, it was renamed once more in honor of former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Image: Mason C

Believe it or not, this town accepted a challenge from the 1950s game show Truth or Consequences to change its name in exchange for hosting the program.

Since then, Hot Springs, New Mexico, has been known as Truth or Consequences Hot Springs.

Image: Ethan Wright-Magoon

Another example of a town that changed its name in exchange for a reward is Halfway, Oregon. In the 1990s, as part of a marketing campaign, the town agreed to rename itself "Half.com" for an entire year in return for $110,000 and 20 computers for a local school—all to promote an internet start-up.

Image: everett mcintire

The picturesque borough of Jim Thorpe in Pennsylvania was once known as East and West Mauch Chunk. However, after Native American sports legend Jim Thorpe passed away, the municipality negotiated a deal with his heirs to become the site of his tomb and rename the town in his honor, hoping to boost tourism.

Image: Donnie Rosie

North Tarrytown was the home of American writer Washington Irving, who drew inspiration from the town for his short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

In 1996, the town officially changed its name to Sleepy Hollow, honoring both the writer and the story that brought it worldwide fame.

Image: Richard Hedrick

This Arctic Circle city was once known as Barrow, named for its proximity to Point Barrow, America's northernmost point. However, following a referendum approved by residents in 2016, the city's name was officially changed from Barrow to Utqiagvik to better reflect its native roots.

Image: Alexis Mette

The original name of this community, Bella Vista (meaning "Beautiful View" in Spanish), was changed to West Pittsburg. However, because it was often confused with the western unincorporated section of Pittsburgh, California, the name was revised again in 1993 to Bay Point, reviving a historical name used in the area.

Image: Robert Bye