What’s in a name? As it turns out, quite a lot. We’re indulging in some Asheville linguistics today, specifically with a look at some local toponymy — the study of place names.

Blue Ridge Mountains

Isoprene. That’s one of the volatile organic compounds released by trees within the mountains, which cast a blue haze over the region. Oaks and conifers are especially responsible for releasing the compounds.

Mars Hill

The town of Mars Hill was incorporated in 1893, almost 40 years after the establishment of the French Broad Baptist Institute, which soon became Mars Hill University. As the college grew, so did the town.

The university's name change was said to be inspired by the Biblical passage, Acts 17:22, which reads, "Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill and said, ‘Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious." Also known as the Areopagus, the hill just northwest of the Acropolis was the meeting place of the "earliest aristocratic council of ancient Athens."

This outcropping of rocks, the Areopagus, inspired the name of Mars Hill University. | Photo by George E. Koronaios

Sandy Mush

Oral history has it that in the early days of European settlement in the township, herdsmen found it difficult to collect water from the fast-flowing streams, leaving them with sand in their morning porridge.

Agriculture is a pivotal part of Sandy Mush's history. | Photo via Farm Heritage Trail

Swannanoa

There are a few theories when it comes to Swannanoa's toponymy. The name is rooted in Cherokee history and is likely an anglicized version of the word “Suwalinunnahi,” which was a Native trade route in the Swannanoa Valley, or "Shawano," referring to the Shawnee Tribe. It's also thought that the name originated from the Cherokee term meaning "beautiful river."

Is there another local landmark whose naming history you’d like to know? Share it with us, and we'll give you the lowdown in a future article.