Do you live in one of these?
Why does every town have a Maple Street? The 11 most-used street names
Published on January 6, 2026
Image: Igor Shalyminov
Have you ever wondered why so many streets in the U.S. are named "Main," "Maple," or "Broadway"? From historical references to nature-inspired names and beyond, every street name has a reason behind it. Take a look at the following 11 common street names. How many of these names are present in your neighborhood?
Main
Image: Brandon Jean
A self-explanatory name, for sure, "Main Street" is usually the most important avenue of a town or city, in its early stages. Sometimes, as it can happen, the city will grow and the "Main" street will no longer be the most important one, but the name almost always remains.
Maple
Image: KWON JUNHO
A testament to the U.S.’s most abundant tree, "Maple Street" is a common name found in towns and cities across the country. It has also appeared frequently in fictional settings, from novels and films to cartoons like The Simpsons.
Second
Image: Timur M
Strangely enough, the name "Second Street" is more common than "First Street." One might assume that for every Second Street in America, there must also be a First Street—but that’s not always the case. The explanation lies in the fact that many "First Streets" have been renamed since their original naming.
Oak
Image: Seval Torun
Another common street name honoring one of America’s most widespread trees, "Oak Street," is a name that can be found in towns and cities of all sizes across the nation.
Park
Image: Leroy Tan
Another self-explanatory name is the following example. The streets and avenues named "Park Street" in America usually start, end, or border a public park.
High
Image: gustavo nacht
A name somewhat similar in use to "Main Street" is "High Street." Though much less common in the US, it is often found in older towns with colonial or British influence and is typically bestowed upon the most important street in a town or city.
Central
Image: S. Tsuchiya
Akin to "Main" and "High," "Central Street" is a name given to streets and avenues that are situated in the downtown area of a town or city, and pass through some of its most important features, like government buildings or central squares.
Church
Image: Boyu Hu
Many street names originate as landmark references, pointing to notable features along the road. Nearly every town in America has a "Church Street," most of them named after a church that once stood—or still stands—along their path.
Market
Image: Albert Stoynov
Across the country, streets named "Market Street" often serve as the center of commercial activity in a town or city. Like other landmark-based street names, the designation reflects the street’s primary use—in this case, as a commercial thoroughfare.
Washington
Image: Vlad Tchompalov
Unsurprisingly, "Washington Street," the Father of the Nation’s name, appears in nearly every American town and city, and in a larger proportion than any other historical figure’s name.
Elm
Image: Steve Lieman
The third and final tree-based street name in this list, "Elm Street," comes from a common North American tree. Like Maple and Oak, Elm Street has appeared in numerous fictional stories, television shows, novels, and movies, most notably, A Nightmare on Elm Street.
