This community along Grays Harbor is known for its plentiful rain, logging and shipping heritage, and for being Kurt Cobain’s hometown. But do you know how Aberdeen got its name?

Platted in 1884 on Samuel Benn’s homestead between the Chehalis and Wishkah rivers, Aberdeen is named after Aberdeen, Scotland. There was an Aberdeen Packing Co. on Benn’s waterfront. Mrs. James B. Stewart, who hailed from the Scottish city, suggested that the new town be called after her native burg. The packing company’s owner, B.A. Seaborg, who named the company to capitalize on the Scottish city’s prominence in the fisheries world, backed the suggestion. He said the name was appropriate, as the Gaelic word meant “the meeting of two rivers.”

Info about the name origins for hundreds and hundreds of Washington places can be found in several books at the State Library, including: “Origin of Washington Geographic Names,” by former UW history professor Edmond S. Meany, and “Washington State Place Names,” by James W. Phillips, a former newspaperman and freelance writer.

The State Library’s receptionist phone number is (360) 704-5200 and its reference number is (360) 704-5221. You can e-mail a question to [email protected] or you can check out its Web site .

(Photo courtesy of Grays HarborTourism)