Sorry for the confusion: The names of these Wilmington-area towns are known elsewhere

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.”

William Shakespeare uses this line in his play "Romeo and Juliet" to convey that the naming of things is irrelevant. But some will choose to disagree.

However, when it comes to multiple places with the same name, it doesn't hurt to clarify exactly where one is compared to the other.

To avoid any confusion, here's a list of five Wilmington-area towns with the same name elsewhere.

Wilmington

When many hear about Wilmington, they're not thinking about Wilmington, North Carolina, unless they lived there. Most people mind automatically goes to Wilmington, Delaware, home of President Joe Biden.

There are nearly 500 miles between these two Wilmingtons, but it still gets confusing.

Wilmington was named in 1739/40 for Spencer Compton, the 1st Earl of Wilmington and the prime minister of Great Britain under King George II in the 1740s.

Wilmington, North Carolina, was incorporated in 1739, formerly known as New Carthage, New Liverpool and Newton. The city is known for its antebellum and Civil War history, movies and TV productions such as "Dawson's Creek" and "One Tree Hill."

Wilmington, Delaware, is the urban hub of the region and has the largest downtown in the state of Delaware. It is known as the center for banking, world-class restaurants, museums, performing arts venues and tax-free shopping.

In all there are 18 places named Wilmington ― 13 in America, three in the United Kingdom, one in Jamaica and one in Australia.

For years, similarities between the two Wilmington cities were the cause of a persistent confusion with the local Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau fielding numerous calls from misguided vacationers.

"We do get calls occasionally, but not nearly as frequently as we used to," said bureau spokeswoman Connie Nelson. "As our brand (as a city) has changed and become recognizable over the past decade, we have fewer of those calls, but people still get that confused."

Surf City

Hearing the name Surf City, many people will think of Jan and Dean's 1963 No. 1 hit song "Surf City" penned by The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and not so much the small fishing village town in North Carolina founded in 1949.

While the "Surf City" melody about having fun, riding waves and partying is relatable to many on Topsail Island during the summer, but Jan and Dean weren't singing about the one in North Carolina. But it's hard to imagine the classic is not in the back of people's minds when they're visiting the coastal community in Pender and Onslow counties, which tourism officials are calling the heart of Topsail Island for more than 60 years.

More: 'Surf City, here we come': How did the Pender town get its name? Hint: Not from the song.

"Nobody has ever asked in a serious way," said Tammy Proctor, public information officer about the song. "People talk about it over the years, even as long as I lived here over half of my life."

There's also a Surf City in New Jersey and El Salvador.

Oak Island

Strolling through the channels on your TV, you spot a show on the History Channel name "The Curse of Oak Island." Do you immediately want to find out what "the curse" is on Oak Island?

The show follows brothers Marty and Rick Lagina as they hunt for centuries-old hidden treasure supposedly buried on the island, but guarded by a curse that claims the lives of those looking for the treasure.

But you soon realize that the show is about Oak Island in Nova Scotia, Canada, and not the Brunswick beach town.

More: The Curse of Oak Island: Why some tourists are confusing North Carolina for Nova Scotia

At least once or twice each month, some confused viewer from across the country sends their fan mail to the town of Oak Island.

“We get a wide range of comments that you would normally expect for any type of popular television mystery show,” said Michael Emory, communication manager for the town.

Bolivia

When most people hear of Bolivia, they're not thinking of the Brunswick County seat Bolivia, unless they are from the state. Chances are they're thinking of Bolivia, a country in central South America.

The town of Bolivia, North Carolina, was established in the 1890s and was incorporated in 1911. There are several theories of how the town received its name. The most widespread one is during the 1880s there were so many boxes being shipped and stamped from the country named "Bolivia" in South America, that the locals adopted it as the town's name. A post office called Bolivia has been in operation since 1892.

Sunset Beach

Don't get "Sunset Beach," a former American soap opera, confused with the town of Sunset Beach, North Carolina.

TripSavvy rated Sunset Beach fourth among the country's 18 best beaches. Sunset Beach is part of a barrier island just off the coast of North Carolina and home to more than 30 golf courses.

The soap opera "Sunset Beach" aired on NBC from Jan. 6, 1997 to Dec. 31, 1999. It was based on the California beach town of Sunset Beach where everyone knows everybody else's business.

There's also a Sunset Beach in Hawaii, Florida, Oregon and Washington.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: These Wilmington places are known elsewhere