They were not from Minneapolis,at least Geaer wasn't because Carl was pointing out landmarks as they were entering the Minneapolis area.

Because the Indian guy, Proudfoot, attacks Carl in his apt.
Trump lies:
Mexico is going to pay for the wall.
I can stop federal funds.

What makes you think Carl (or Gaer, for that matter) was from the Twin Cities? Far as I recall, it's never mentioned where they're from. Carl certainly doesn't sound or behave like he's from the area and, furthermore, when he's trying to make small talk when they're driving there to perform the kidnapping and mentions something about some skyscraper there, he sounds quite unsure of himself as someone personally unfamiliar with the place would be.
"facts are stupid things" Ronald Reagan

There are plenty of small towns between 'apolis and Fargo they could have met where Jer would not have been spotted by anyone he knows.
Maybe your right with your theory as to the movie title.
Of course they could have come up with a different one had they met somewhere else.
Humans are not the only species on earth.
We just act like it.

My theory is that it's all about the sound and meaning of the title. Think about Far-go. Jerry goes pretty "far" to have his wife kidnapped. A title of "Minneapolis" would be a box office killer. Also Brainerd would provoke jokes about the brainless people in the movie. Plus Jerry would want to make arrangements with the kidnappers far away from his home base, where he might be spotted by someone he knows. What's the phrase: don't sh** where you eat.