The use of the name "hoovervilles" was intended as a critical commentary on the government's perceived inaction and failure to provide relief to those affected by the economic downturn. It suggested that these communities were a direct consequence of Hoover's policies or lack thereof, and that he bore responsibility for the hardships faced by the people living in these shantytowns.
The name "hoovervilles" became a symbol of the economic suffering and social dislocation caused by the Great Depression. It was a reflection of the public's frustration and discontent with the government's handling of the economic crisis and served as a reminder of the challenging conditions that many Americans were forced to endure during that time.