Technically, a place name, or toponym, is a name given for any geographic location or feature, such as mountains, rivers, towns, cities, buildings, bridges, and of course, waterfalls. Aside from the waterfalls themselves, I find it interesting how many other geographic features in North Carolina have names that echo waterfalls.

I have included a few categories of them here. This is very much a work in progress, and I’d appreciate any help adding to or revising the lists as needed.

To qualify, the name must contain some form of the word fall, shoal, rapid, or cascade. The exceptions are the community of Niagara, which is assumed to be named for the famous waterfall, and Fish Top, which is named for a waterfall on Green River.

Road Names

Populated Regions

Post Offices

Churches