Ohio is home to many towns and cities with unique and tricky names, often steeped in history and diverse cultural influences. Outsiders—and even some locals—struggle to say them right. Here are 10 Ohio places that will trip you up, along with tips on how to pronounce them like a true Buckeye.
1. Bellefontaine (behl-FOWN-tuhn)
Pronounced like it rhymes with “fountain,” Bellefontaine is often mispronounced by outsiders trying to say it as it looks. Remember the “-fontaine” part is said like “fown-tuhn.”
2. Bucyrus (bew-SIGH-rus)
This small town’s pronunciation does not match the spelling. It sounds like “bew-SIGH-rus” rather than “Buck-uh-rus.” Be prepared to surprise locals who hear the wrong version.
3. Versailles (ver-SALES)
Unlike the French city pronounced “ver-SIGH,” Ohio’s Versailles is pronounced “ver-SALES.” This Anglicized pronunciation is strongly preferred locally.
4. Gallipolis (gal-ih-POL-iss)
Locals say it ends with “-liss,” not “-lease.” The name, meaning “City of the Gauls,” comes from French and Greek origins but with a twist in Ohio.
5. Russia (ROO-she)
Don’t say it like the country “Russia.” This Ohio village is pronounced “ROO-she,” a soft and unexpected sound.
6. Mantua (MAN-a-way)
Instead of pronouncing it like the Italian city “MAN-too-ah,” Ohio’s Mantua is said “MAN-a-way,” giving it a unique local flair.
7. Wooster (WUSS-ter)
This city confuses many because of its spelling. The correct pronunciation sounds like “WUSS-ter,” not “Woo-ster.”
8. Conneaut (KAHN-ee-awt)
This town has a tricky pronunciation, sounding like “KAHN-ee-awt.” It’s challenging due to its unique French-derived spelling.
9. Gnadenhutten (je-NAY-dun-hut-ten)
A mouthful for many, this German-origin name is pronounced “je-NAY-dun-hut-ten,” with soft syllables and a melodic rhythm.
10. Chillicothe (chill-uh-KAW-thee)
Chillicothe is pronounced with emphasis on the last syllable: “chill-uh-KAW-thee,” reflecting its Native American roots.
Bonus Challenge: Scioto (sigh-OH-toe)
Once you get this one down, it’s fun to say aloud. Pronounced “sigh-OH-toe,” it’s a lovely twist that surprises many.
Ohio’s place names reflect its rich mix of Native American, European, and local heritage, which makes for an interesting linguistic adventure. Whether you’re a visitor or a new resident, mastering these pronunciations will earn you some serious local cred—and maybe a few laughs.
So next time someone challenges you to say an Ohio town right on the first try, don’t be discouraged. It’s a big part of Ohio’s charm that even its place names like to keep people guessing.
Source
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/Ohio/comments/w4q219/nbc4_most_mispronounced_names_in_ohio_and_how_to/
[2] https://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/20-ohio-towns-youre-probably-pronouncing-wrong/Slideshow/12234199
[3] https://www.ohiorc.org/ohios-hardest-to-pronounce-cities/
[4] https://wkfr.com/10-ohio-towns/
[5] https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-towns-that-are-commonly-mispronounced/hW8eLT7j3TUYvGe2dnPz6M/
