One story holds that the town's name – which means "North Horn" – came about when the town was under attack, in which case a horn – the so-called Nothorn or emergency horn – was blown by the watchmen to warn the Vechteinsel (Vechte Island) inhabitants and also to call for help.
Üks lugu väidab, et linna nimi – mis tähendab "Põhjasarve" – tekkis siis, kui linn oli rünnaku all, mille puhul vahimees puhus sarve – niinimetatud Nothorni või hädaabi sarve – et hoiatada Vechteinseli (Vechte saare) asukaid ja ka abi kutsuda.