List of irregularly spelled English names
This is a set of lists of English personal and place names having pronunciations that are counterintuitive to their spelling because the pronunciation does not accord with conventional spelling/pronunciation associations, or because a better known namesake with the same spelling has a markedly different pronunciation. The latter types are known as heterophonic names or heterophones (unlike heterographs, which are written differently but pronounced the same).
Excluded are the numerous spellings which fail to make the pronunciation obvious without actually being at odds with convention: for example, the pronunciation /skəˈnɛktədi/[1][2] of Schenectady is not immediately obvious, but neither is it counterintuitive.
See Help:IPA/English for guides to the IPA symbols used, and variations depending on dialect.[n 1]
Place names
Boldened names indicate place names where only one part is pronounced irregularly, italicized pronunciations are uncommon.
General
| Name element | IPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| -ane | /ɑːn/ | In Irish names |
| -borough | /b(ə)rə/ | |
| -burgh | /b(ə)rə/ | |
| -bury | /b(ə)ri/ | |
| -cambe | /kəm/ | |
| -cester | /stər/ | |
| -c(o)omb(e) | /kəm/ | |
| -ford | /fərd/ | |
| -ham | /əm/ | |
| -holm(e) | /hoʊm/ | |
| -mouth | /məθ/ | |
| -quay | /kiː/ | |
| -shire | /ʃər/ | |
| -wich | /ɪdʒ/, /ɪtʃ/ | |
| -wick | /ɪk/ | |
| Innis- | /ˈɪnɪʃ/ |
Australia
| Place | IPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Albany | /ˈælbəni/[n 2] | |
| Barcaldine | /bɑːrˈkɔːldɪn/ | |
| Boroondara | /ˌbɔːrənˈdærə/ | |
| /ˌbʊrənˈdærə/ | ||
| Brisbane | /ˈbrɪzbən/ | |
| Cairns | /ˈkænz/ | |
| Canberra | /ˈkænbərə/[n 3] | |
| Canowindra | /kəˈnaʊndrə/ | |
| Cockburn | /ˈkoʊbɜːrn/[n 4] | |
| Darebin | /ˈdærəbɪn/ | |
| Dundeoo | /ˌdʌniˈduː/ | |
| Fairbairn | /ˈfɛərbɜːrn/ | |
| Forster | /ˈfɒstə/ | |
| Gladstone | /ˈɡlædstən/ | |
| Goondiwindi | /ˌɡʌndəˈwɪndi/ | |
| Greenough | /ˈgrɛnʌf/ | |
| Gumeracha | /ˌɡʌməˈrækə/ | |
| Indooroopilly | /ˌɪndrəˈpɪli/ | |
| Lalor | /ˈlɔːlər/ | |
| Launceston | /ˈlɒnsəstən/ | |
| Mackay | /məˈkaɪ/[n 5] | |
| Mandurah | /ˈmændʒərə/ | |
| Mandurama | /mænˈdʒʊərəmə/ | |
| Manuka | /ˈmɑːnəkə/ | |
| Melbourne | /ˈmɛlbərn/ | |
| Michelago | /ˌmɪkəˈleɪɡoʊ/ | |
| Mount Kosciuszko | /ˌkɒsiˈʌskoʊ/[n 6] | |
| Mukinbudin | /ˈmʌkɪnbuːdɪn/ | |
| Mudgeeraba | /ˌmʌdʒɪˈrɑːbə/ | |
| Prahran | /p(ə')ræn/ | |
| South Kolan | /ˈkoʊlæn/ | |
| Strahan | /ˈstrɔːn/ | |
| Tallangatta | /təˈlæŋɡətə/ | |
| Tiaro | /ˈtaɪroʊ/ | |
| Wagga Wagga | /ˈwɒɡəˌwɒɡə/ | |
| Wangi Wangi | /ˈwɒndʒiˌwɒndʒi/ | |
| Wauchope | /ˈwɔːhoʊp/ | |
| Woonona | /wəˈnuːnə/ |
Canada
| Place | IPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agassiz | /ˈæɡəsi/[3] | |
| Baie d'Espoir[n 7] | /ˌbeɪdɪsˈpɛər/ | |
| Delhi | /ˈdɛlhaɪ/ | |
| Etobicoke | /ɪˈtoʊbɪkoʊ/ | |
| Gaultois | /ˈɡɔːltəs/ | |
| Grand Bruit | /ˈɡrændbrɪt/ | |
| L'Ardoise | /ˈlɔːrdweɪz/ | |
| Magaguadavic | /ˌmækəˈdeɪvi/[4] | |
| Osoyoos | /ɒˈsuːjəs/ | |
| /ɒˈsuːjuːs/ | ||
| /ˈsuːjuːs/ | ||
| Ossington Avenue | /ˈɒzɪŋtən/ | |
| Pouce Coupe | /ˈpuːskuːpiː/ | |
| Quesnel | /kwɪˈnɛl/ | |
| Quidi Vidi | /ˈkɪdiˌvɪdi/ | |
| Quirpon | /ˈkɑːrpuːn/ | |
| Rusagonis-Waasis | /ˌruːʃɑːˈɡɔːrnɪʃ/[5] | |
| Saanich | /ˈsænɪtʃ/ | |
| Sault Sainte Marie | /ˈsuː seɪnt məˈriː/ | |
| Sechelt | /ˈsiːʃɛlt/ | |
| Skidegate | /ˈskɪdɪɡɪt/ | |
| Stouffville | /ˈstoʊvɪl/ | |
| Strachan Avenue, Toronto | /ˈstrɔːn/ | |
| Summerland | /ˈsʌmərlænd/, not /ˈsʌmərlənd/ | |
| Thames River | /ˈtɛmz/ | |
| The Pas | /ðəˈpɑː/ | |
| Tsawwasen | /təˈwɑːsən/ | |
| Vaughan | /vɔːn/ | |
| Verdun | /vərˈdʌn/ | |
| Verdun Avenue, Verdun | /ˈvɜːrdən/ | |
| Waskatenau | /wəˈsɛtnə/ |
New Zealand
| Place | IPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blenheim | /ˈblɛnəm/ | |
| Bryndwr | /ˈbrɪndwər/ | |
| Charleston | /ˈtʃɑːrləstən/ | |
| Dunedin | /dəˈniːdən/ | |
| Gisborne | /ˈɡɪzbərn/ | |
| Greymouth | /ˈɡreɪmaʊθ/, not /ˈɡreɪməθ/ | |
| Kurow | /ˈkʊəraʊ/ | |
| Levin | /ləˈvɪn/ | |
| Northcote | /ˈnɔːrθkət/ | |
| Point Chevalier | /ˈpɔɪntʃɛvəˈlɪər/ | |
| Thames | /ˈtɛmz/ |
Ireland
| Place | IPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aghabullogue | /æˈhæbʌlʌɡ/ | |
| Athy | /æˈθaɪ/ | |
| Boyounagh | /ˈbwiːnəx/ | |
| Breaffy | /ˈbreɪfiː/ | |
| Cahir | /ˈkɛər/ | |
| Cloghore | /klaɪˈhɔːr/ | place in County Donegal |
| Connacht | /kɒnɔː(x)t/ | |
| Donegal | /dʌnɪgɔːl/ | |
| Inistioge | /ɪnɪʃˈtiːɡ/ | |
| Kiltimagh | /kɪltʃɪˈmɒk/ | |
| Leap | /ˈlɛp/ | |
| Leighlin | /ˈlɒxlɪn/ | |
| Leighlinbridge | /ˈlɒxlɪnbrɪdʒ/ | |
| Leinster | /ˈlɛnstər/ | |
| Maynooth | /məˈnuːθ/ | |
| Mountcharles | /maʊntˈtʃɑːrlɪs/ | |
| Mweelrea | /mweɪlˈriːə/ | |
| Naas | /ˈneɪs/ | |
| Owenabue | /oʊnəˈbwiː/ | river in County Cork |
| Raphoe | /ˈræfoʊ/ | |
| River Suir | /ˈʃʊər/ | |
| Tallaght | /ˈtælə/ | |
| Thurles | /ˈθɜːrlɛs/ | |
| Tuam | /ˈtʃuːəm/ | |
| Youghal | /ˈjɔːl/ |
United Kingdom
This list does not include places in England, which have a separate article. Also not included are names following spelling conventions of other local languages, such as Welsh.
United States
Other countries
| Country | Place | IPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad and Tobago | Pointe-à-Pierre | /ˌpɔɪntəˈpɪər/ |
Personal names
Bold names are common; so while not intuitive, are among the most well-used. Names in italics are common are names of non-English origin common among English speakers and only irregular in English pronunciation.
Given names
Specific people
| Name | IPA | Description | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antawn Jamison | /ˈæntwɑːn/ | American basketball player | |
| Chynna Phillips | /ˈtʃaɪnə/ | American singer and actor | |
| Dav Pilkey | /deɪv/ | American author and illustrator | |
| Dwyane Wade | /dweɪn/ | American basketball player | |
| Kiki Cuyler | /ˈkaɪkaɪ/ | American baseball player and coach | |
| Liza Minnelli | /ˈlaɪzə/ | American actor and singer | |
| MaliVai Washington | /ˈmæləviːə/ | American tennis player | |
| Michellie Jones | /mɪˈkiːli/ | Australian triathlete | |
| Monta Ellis | /ˈmɒnteɪ/ | American basketball player | |
| Wynonna Judd | /waɪˈnoʊnə/ | American country singer |
General
| Name | IPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony | /ˈæntəni/ | |
| /ˈænθəni/ | ||
| Chloe, Chloë | /ˈkloʊi/ | |
| Geoffrey | /ˈdʒɛfri/ | |
| Dafydd | /ˈdævɪð/ | |
| Dylan | /ˈdɪlən/ | |
| Eithne | /ˈɛnjə/ | |
| Eleanor | /ˈɛlənər, -nɔːr/ | |
| Freda | /ˈfriːdə/ | |
| Hermione | /hɜːrˈmaɪəni/[9] | |
| Hugh | /ˈhjuː/ | |
| Isaac | /ˈaɪzək/ | |
| Isla | /ˈaɪlə/ | |
| John | /dʒɒn/ | |
| Magdalen(e) | /ˈmɔːdlɪn/ | Pronunciation now rare |
| Malachi | /ˈmæləkaɪ/ ( |
|
| Malcolm | /ˈmælkəm/ | |
| Michael | /ˈmaɪkəl/ | |
| Morgause | /mɔːrˈɡeɪz/ | |
| Naomi, Näomi | /ˈnaɪoʊmi/, /neɪˈoʊmi/ | |
| Niamh | /ˈniːv/ | |
| Ngaire | /ˈnaɪri/ | |
| Niall | /ˈnaɪəl/ | |
| /ˈniːəl/ | ||
| Owen | /ˈoʊɪn/ | |
| Penelope | /pəˈnɛləpi/[10][11] | |
| Phoebe | /ˈfiːbi/ | |
| Ralph | /ˈreɪf/ | Pronunciation now rare |
| Rhys, Rees(e) | /ˈriːs/ | |
| Rise, Risë | /ˈriːsə/ | |
| Saoirse | /ˈsɜːrʃə/ | |
| Seamus, Séamas | /ˈʃeɪməs/ | |
| Sean, Séan | /ˈʃɔːn/ | |
| Sian, Siân | /ˈʃɑːn/ | |
| Siobhan | /ʃɪˈvɔːn/ | |
| Stephen | /ˈstiːvən/ | |
| Theresa | /təˈriːzə/ | UK English pronunciation |
| /təˈriːsə/ | ||
| Thomas | /ˈtɒməs/ | |
| Vaugh(a)n | /ˈvɔːn/ | |
| Zachary | /ˈzækəri/ | |
| Zoe, Zoë | /zoʊi/ |
Family names
Specific people
| Name | IPA | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Copland | /ˈkoʊplənd/ | American composer | |
| Andre Dubus | /dəˈbjuːs/ | American novelist | |
| Andrew P. Iosue | /ˈɒzweɪ/[12] | American general | |
| Annastacia Palaszczuk | /ˈpæləʃeɪ/ | Australian politician | |
| Benjamin Huger | /ˈuːdʒi/, /ˈuːdʒeɪ/ | Confederate American general | |
| Bill Nighy | /ˈnaɪ/ | British actor | |
| Bill Veeck | /ˈvɛk/ | American baseball executive | |
| Brett Favre | /ˈfɑːrv/ | American football player | |
| Cara Delevigne | /dɛləˈviːn/ | English model and actor | |
| Cary Elwes | /ˈɛlweɪz/ | English actor | |
| Cecelia Cichan | /ˈʃiːhən/ | American plane crash victim | |
| Clarence Mackay | /ˈmæki/ | American financier | |
| Clayton Yeutter | /ˈjaɪtər/ | American politician | |
| Cliff Politte | /pɒˈliːt/ | American basketball player | |
| Clifford Geertz | /ˈɡɜːrts/ | American anthropologist | |
| Craig Chaquico | /tʃəˈkiːsoʊ/ | American musician | As if Portuguese Chaquiçco |
| Dan Cortese | /kɔːrˈtɛz/ | American actor and broadcaster | |
| Dan Majerle | /ˈmɑːrli/ | American basketball player | |
| Dana Suesse | /ˈswiːs/ | American composer | |
| Daniel Ricciardo | /rɪˈkɑːrdoʊ/ | Australian racing driver | |
| Darrell Issa | /ˈaɪzə/ | American politician and entrepreneur | |
| David Acer | /ˈækər/ | Canadian comedian and magician | |
| David Icke | /ˈaɪk/ | English conspiracy writer | |
| David Lange | /ˈlɒŋi/ | 32nd prime minister of New Zealand | |
| Don Ameche | /əˈmiːtʃiː/ | American actor | |
| Donald F. Glut | /ˈɡluːt/ | American writer and director | |
| Edward Ruscha | /ruːˈʃeɪ/ | American painter | |
| Eli Broad | /broʊd/ | American businessperson | |
| Elizabeth Goudge | /ˈɡuːdʒ/[6] | English writer | |
| Fiennes family | /ˈfaɪnz/[6] | British family of actors | |
| Geraldine McCaughrean | /məˈkɔːkrən/ | British children's writer | |
| Herman Wouk | /ˈwoʊk/ | American writer | |
| Hillary Haag | /heɪg/ | American actor and voice actor | |
| Isaiah Canaan | /ˈkænən/ | American basketball player | |
| Isley Brothers | /ˈaɪzliː/ | American musicians | |
| Jackie Speier | /ˈspɪər/ | American politician | Pronounced regularly for other holders |
| James Anthony Froude | /ˈfruːd/[6] | English historian and novelist | |
| James Naughtie | /ˈnɔːxti/ | British journalist | |
| Jason Chaffetz | /ˈtʃeɪfɨts/ | American politician | |
| Jim Bakker | /ˈbeɪkər/ | American televangelist | |
| Jim Fuchs | /ˈfjuːʃ/[13] | American shot put athlete | |
| John Boehner | /ˈbeɪnər/ | American politician | |
| John Boozman | /ˈboʊzmən/ | American politician | |
| John Caius | /ˈkiːz/ | English doctor | |
| John Donne | /dʌn/ | English poet and cleric | |
| John Keble | /ˈkiːbəl/ | English churchman and poet | |
| John H. Kerr | /ˈkɑːr/ | American politician | |
| Johnny Manziel | /mænˈzɛl/ | American football player | |
| Jonathan Toews | /ˈteɪvz/ | Canadian hockey player | |
| Junior Seau | /ˈseɪaʊ/ | American football player | |
| Justin Duchsherer | /ˈduːkʃər/ | American baseball player | |
| K. C. Boutiette | /ˈbuːtieɪ/ | American speed skater | |
| Karch Kiraly | /kɪˈraɪ/ | American volleyball player and coach | |
| Karen Sillas | /ˈsaɪləs/ | American actor | |
| Keir Dullea | /dəˈleɪ/ | American actor | |
| Kirk Rueter | /ˈriːtər/ | American baseball player | |
| Klaus Roth | /ˈroʊθ/ | British mathematician | |
| L. David Mech | /ˈmiːtʃ/ | American biologist | |
| Larry Woiwode | /ˈwaɪwʊdi/ | American writer | |
| Laura Nyro | /ˈnɪəroʊ/ | American musician | |
| Lauren Tewes | /ˈtwiːz/ | American actor | |
| Lee Godie | /ˈɡoʊdeɪ/ | American painter | |
| Lisa Rieffel | /rəˈfɛl/ | American actor and musician | |
| Lou Piniella | /pəˈnɛlə/ | American baseball player and manager | |
| Marge Roukema | /ˈrɒkəmə/ | American politician | |
| Marin Mazzie | /ˈmeɪzi/ | American actress | |
| Mary Renault | /ˈrɛnoʊlt/ | English novelist | |
| Matt Groening | /ˈɡreɪnɪŋ/ | American cartoonist | |
| Mike Doughty | /ˈdoʊti/ | American musician | Contrast from usual but equally irregular /ˈdaʊti/ |
| Patricia Wrede | /ˈriːdi/ | American author | |
| Patti Scialfa | /ˈskælfə/ | American singer | |
| Pete Reiser | /ˈriːsər/ | American baseball player and coach | |
| Peter Agre | /ˈɑːɡreɪ/[14] | American chemist | |
| Rachel Scdoris | /səˈdɔːrɪs/ | American musher | |
| Randy Neugebauer | /ˈnɔːɡəbaʊ.ər/ | American politician | |
| Rob Kearney | /'kɑːrni/ | Irish rugby player | |
| Robert Fulghum | /ˈfʊldʒəm/ | American writer | |
| Robert Faucheux | /foʊˈʃeɪ/ | American politician | |
| Robert Mapplethorpe | /ˈmeɪpəlθɔːrp/ | American photographer | |
| Roger Boisjoly | /boʊʒəˈleɪ/ | American aerospace engineer | |
| Roger B. Taney | /ˈtɔːni/ | American former Chief Justice | |
| Ron Faucheux | /foʊˈʃeɪ/ | American lawyer and scholar | |
| Ronald Fedkiw | /ˈfɛdkoʊ/ | American mathematician | |
| Samuel Pepys | /ˈpiːps/ | English MP | |
| Sara Bareilles | /bəˈrɛlɪs/ | American musician | |
| Shia LaBeouf | /lə'bʌf/ | American actor | |
| Stephen Cole Kleene | /ˈkleɪniː/ | American mathematician | |
| Terri Schiavo | /ˈʃaɪvoʊ/ | Subject of Terri Schiavo case | |
| Thomas Carew | /ˈkɛəriː/ | English poet | |
| Todd Tiahrt | /ˈtiːhɑːrt/ | American politician | |
| Vernon Dahmer | /ˈdeɪmər/ | American activist | |
| William Butler Yeats | /ˈjeɪts/ | Irish poet and playwright | |
| William Foege | /ˈfeɪɡi/ | American physician | |
| William Froude | /ˈfruːd/[6] | British naval engineer | |
| William Hulme | /ˈhjuːm/[6] | English lawyer |
General
| Name | IPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Abercorn | /ˈævərkɔːrn/ | |
| Aucoin | /ɔːˈkoɪn/ | |
| /oʊˈkoɪn/ | ||
| /oʊˈkwæn/ | ||
| /oʊˈkwiːn/ | ||
| Ayscough | /əˈskjuː/ | |
| Bagehot | /ˈbædʒət/ | |
| Beauchamp | /ˈbiːtʃəm/ | |
| Beauclerk | /boʊˈklɛər/ | |
| Berkeley | /ˈbɑːrkli/ | Mainly UK pronunciation |
| Bohun | /ˈbuːn/ | |
| Blount | /ˈblʌnt/ | |
| Boulware | /ˈboʊlər/[n 9] | Also pronounced regularly |
| Bowie | /buˈi/ | Uncommon pronunciation |
| Brough | /ˈbrʌf/ | |
| Buccleugh | /bəˈkluː/ | |
| Buyer | /ˈbuːjər/ | Also pronounced regularly |
| Cadogan | /kəˈdʌɡən/ | |
| Cheves | /ˈtʃɪvɪs/ | |
| Chisholm | /ˈtʃɪzəm/ | |
| Coke | /ˈkʊk/ | |
| Colclough | /ˈkɒkli/ | |
| /ˈkoʊkli/ | ||
| Crichton | /ˈkraɪtən/ | |
| Cholmondeley | /ˈtʃʌmli/ | |
| Cockburn | /ˈkoʊbərn/ | |
| Colquhoun | /kəˈhuːn/ | |
| Cowper | /ˈkuːpər/ | Also pronounced regularly |
| Cruwys | /ˈkruːz/ | |
| Cuyjet | /suːˈʒeɪ/ | |
| Dalyell | /diˈɛl/ | |
| Dalziel | /diˈɛl/ | |
| Davies | /ˈdeɪvɪs/ | Sometimes pronounced regularly |
| Death | /ˈdiːθ/ | |
| De'Ath | /diˈɑːt/ | |
| DeLaughter | /dɪˈlɔːtər/ | |
| De Ros | /də 'ruːz/ | |
| Devere(a)ux | /ˈdɛvəruːks/ | |
| /ˈdɛvəroʊ/ | ||
| Doughty | /ˈdaʊti/ | |
| Dyches | /ˈdaɪks/ | |
| Eames | /ˈeɪmz/ | Often pronounced regularly |
| Ehle | /ˈiːli/ | |
| Enroughty | /ˈdɑːrbi/[15] | |
| Faneuil | /ˈfænjəl/ [6] | |
| Fe(a)therstonhaugh | /ˈfænʃɔː/[6] | |
| /ˈfiːsənheɪ/[6] | ||
| /ˈfɛstənhɔː/[6] | ||
| /ˈfɪərstənhɔː/[6] | ||
| Geogehan | /ˈɡeɪɡən/ or /ɡɪˈheɪɡən/ [6] | |
| Geoghegan | /ˈɡeɪɡən/ or /ɡɪˈheɪɡən/ [6] | |
| Gieves | /ˈɡiːvz/ | Not as Jeeves |
| Greenhalgh | /ˈgriːnhɑlʃ/[6] | |
| /ˈgriːnhælʃ/[6] | ||
| /ˈgrinːhældʒ/[6] | ||
| /ˈgriːnhɔːl/[6] | ||
| Grosvenor | /ˈɡroʊvənʊər/, /ˈɡroʊvnər/[6] | |
| Gough | /ˈgɒf/ | |
| Greenough | /ˈgriːnoʊ/ | |
| Guild | /ˈɡaɪld/ | |
| Harewood | /ˈhɑːrwʊd/[6] | |
| Home | /ˈhjuːm/[6] | |
| Hough | /ˈhʌf/ | |
| Jacques | /ˈdʒeɪks/ | Uncommon pronunciation |
| Jordan | /ˈdʒɜːrdən/ | Uncommon pronunciation |
| Jourdan | /ˈdʒɜːrdən/ | |
| Keogh | /ˈkjoʊ/ | |
| Kehoe | /ˈkjoʊ/ | |
| Kerr | /kɝ/ | Pronounced regularly in Scottish English |
| Keynes | /ˈkeɪnz/ | |
| Landrieu | /ˈlændruː/ | |
| Lalor | /ˈlɔːlər/ | |
| Lange | /ˈlæŋ/ | |
| Lascelles | /ˈlæsəls/ | |
| Leicester | /ˈlɛstər/ | |
| Legaré | /ləˈɡriː/ | |
| Lescroart | /lɛsˈkwɑː/ | |
| Leveson-Gower[n 10] | /ˈluːsən ˈɡɔːr/ | |
| Lewes | /ˈluːɪs/ | |
| Machin | /ˈmeɪtʃɪn/ | |
| MacKay, McKay | /məˈkaɪ/ | Pronunciation mainly in Scotland |
| MacLean, McLean | /məˈkleɪn/[16][17][18] | Sometimes pronounced regularly |
| MacLeod, McLeod | /məˈklaʊd/ | |
| MacMahon, McMahon | /məkˈmæn/ | |
| Mainwaring | /ˈmænərɪŋ/ | |
| Marjoribanks | /mɑːr(t)ʃbæŋks/ | |
| Marlborough | /ˈmɔːrlbərə/ | |
| Maugham | /ˈmɔːm/ | |
| McCaughey | /məˈkɔɪ/ | |
| McGrath | /məˈɡrɑː/ | Pronunciation mainly in Ireland |
| Meagher | /mɑː(hə)r/ | |
| Melancon | /məˈlɒnsɒn/ | As if spelled Melançon |
| /məˈlɔːsɔː/ | Mimics French Melançon | |
| Menzies | /ˈmɪŋɪs/ | Mainly pronounced regularly outside Scotland |
| Molyneux | /ˈmɒlɪnjuː/ | |
| Moog | /ˈmoʊɡ/ | |
| Moore | /mɔɚ/ | |
| /mʊɚ/ | ||
| Moragne | /mɒˈreɪni/ | |
| Muir | /mjɔr/ | |
| Muirhead | /mjɔrhɛd/ | |
| Olivier[n 11] | /ɒˈlɪvieɪ/ | |
| Ouzts | /ˈuːts/ | |
| Peirce | /ˈpɜːrs/ | Uncommon |
| Pierce | /ˈpɜːrs/ | Uncommon |
| Petre | /ˈpiːtər/ | |
| Pole-Carew | /puːl ˈkɛəri/ | |
| Pou | /ˈpjuː/ | |
| Powell | /'paʊ̯wəl/ | |
| /'poʊ̯l/ | ||
| Prioleau | /ˈpreɪloʊ/ | |
| Proulx | /ˈpruː/ | |
| Quincy | /ˈkwɪnziː/ | Slightly uncommon |
| Raleigh | /ˈrɔːli/ | |
| Rehm | /ˈriːm/ | |
| Reich | /raɪʃ/ | Uncommon |
| Reynolds | /ˈrɛnoʊldz/ | |
| Rhea | /ˈreɪ/ | Also pronounced regularly |
| Rhys | /ˈriːs/ | |
| Riordan | /ˈrɪərdən/ | |
| Roosevelt | /ˈroʊzəvɛlt/ | Often pronounced regularly |
| Salisbury | /ˈsɔːlzbəri, ˈsɒlz-/ | |
| Sandys | /sændz/ | |
| Schlumberger | /ʃlʌmbərʒeɪ/ | |
| S(c)haffer | /ˈʃeɪfər/ | Also pronounced regularly |
| Scrope | /ˈskruːp/ | |
| Seau | /ˈsoʊ/ | |
| Seay | /ˈseɪ/ | Uncommon pronunciatiom |
| /ˈsiː/ | ||
| Shea | /ˈʃeɪ/ | |
| Smellie[n 12] | /ˈsmaɪli/ | |
| Somerset | /ˈsʌmərsɪt/ | |
| Sough | /ˈsʌf/ | |
| St. Clair | /'sɪnklɛɚ/ | Uncommon |
| St. John | /ˈsɪndʒən/ | Also pronounced regularly |
| /sɪnˈdʒɒn/ | Uncommon pronunciation | |
| Stough | /ˈstoʊ/ | |
| Strachan | /ˈstrɔːn/ | |
| /ˈstræxən/~/ˈstrækən/ | ||
| Strange | /ˈstræŋ/ | Uncommon pronunciation |
| Synge | /ˈsɪŋ/ | |
| Tal(i)aferro | /ˈtɒlɪvər/ | |
| Thome | /toʊˈmeɪ/ | |
| Threatt | /ˈθriːt/ | |
| Tilghman | /ˈtɪlmən/ | |
| Tjoelker | /ˈtʃoʊkər/ | |
| Trevelyan | /trəˈvɪljən/ | |
| Teutel | /ˈtʌtəl/ | |
| Tyrwhitt | /ˈtɪrɪt/ | |
| Urquhart[n 13] | /ˈɜːrkərt/ | |
| Vanderhorst | /vænˈdrɑːs/ | |
| Vaugh(a)n | /vɔːn/ | |
| Waldegrave | /ˈwɔːlɡreɪv/ | |
| Wein | /'waɪn/ | |
| Weiner | /'waɪnɝ/ | |
| Winzet | /ˈwɪnjət/ | |
| Wodehouse | /ˈwʊdhaʊs/ | |
| Worcester | /ˈwʊstər/ | |
| Wriothesley | /ˈrɔːtsli/ | |
| /ˈrɪzli/ | ||
| /ˈroʊzli/[19] | ||
| /ˈrɒksli/ | ||
| /ˈraɪzli/ | ||
| Yeend | /ˈjɛnd/ | |
| Yount | /jʌnt/ |
Notes
- For towns near the cusp of two dialect regions, both variants are usually heard, and wider still for important cities or even within them. Examples in that article include New York City and Bath
- cf. influential Duke of Albany and Albany, New York
- Canberra as /kænˈbɛrə/ is rare and deprecated
- Same as the surname.
- When spoken in the clipped way, the same as original Scottish surname McKay.
- Polish-derived pronunciation /kɒˈʃʊʃkoʊ/ is sometimes used for the Australian example.
- French for "Bay of Hope", and paradoxically pronounced "Bay Despair"
- Murray is also a common surname generally pronounced in this orthodox way.
- Generally in Virginia
- Usually e.g. H. D. G. Leveson-Gower, Granville George Leveson-Gower
- While generally keeping separate vowel sounds at the end (as though with a diaresis), 'er' in Olivier is never pronounced like Oliver
- Scottish, e.g. William Smellie
- Scottish, see Urquhart Castle
References
- "Schenectady". Oxford Dictionaries UK Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- "Schenectady". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- "Agassiz". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- "Magaguadavic". Place Names of New Brunswick. Public Archives of New Brunswick. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- "Rusagonis". Place Names of New Brunswick. Public Archives of New Brunswick. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- Wells, John C. (2000). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary. 2nd ed. Longman. ISBN 0-582-36468-X.
- "Moray - Pronunciation". Rootsweb at ancestry.com. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- Pronouncing British Placenames at BBC's Edited Guide Entry h2g2 site
- "Hermione". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- "Penelope". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- "Penelope". Oxford Dictionaries UK Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- "Biographies : GENERAL ANDREW P. IOSUE". Af.mil. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
- Douglas Martin, James E. Fuchs, Innovator in the Shot-Put, Dies at 82, New York Times, October 18, 2010
- "Voices Against Indifference Initiative". Echofoundation.org. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
- Elsdon Coles Smith (1986-05-01). American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Com. p. 296 /. ISBN 978-0-8063-1150-0.
- "Pronunciation Of Surnames". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
- "Mclean | Define Mclean at Dictionary.com". Dictionary.reference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
- "NHL pronunciation guide". USA Today. February 4, 2000. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
- "Set VII, texts and comments". Utm.edu. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
Further reading
- G. M. Miller (editor) (1971). BBC pronouncing dictionary of British names. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-431125-2.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- Ordnance Survey of Ireland (1989). Gazetteer of Ireland. Government Publications Office. ISBN 0-7076-0076-6.
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