This is a set of lists of English personal and place names having spellings that are counterintuitive to their pronunciation because the spelling does not accord with conventional 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]
Boldened names indicate place names where only one part is pronounced irregularly, italicized pronunciations are uncommon. Exonyms are listed among examples.
| Name element | Pronunciation | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respelling | IPA | ||
| -ane | ahn | /ɑːn/ | Mostly in Irish placenames |
| -borough | b(ə)rə | /bəˈrə/ | |
| -burgh | b(ə)rə | /bəˈrə/ | |
| -bury | b(ə)r-ee | /bəˈri/ | |
| -cambe | kəm | /kəm/ | |
| -cester | stər | /stər/ | |
| -c(o)omb(e) | kəm | /kəm/ | |
| -ford | fərd | /fərd/ | |
| -ham[n 2] | əm | /əm/ | Stokenham, Devon, England, is /stoʊkənˈhæm/; |
| -holm(e) | like home | /hoʊm/ | |
| -mouth | məth | /məθ/ | |
| -quay | kee | /kiː/ | |
| -shire | shər | /ʃər/ | |
| -wich | ich, ij | /ɪtʃ/, /ɪdʒ/ | American or Canadian localities named Greenwich and Norwich have -/wɪtʃ/ instead[n 3] |
| -wick[n 4] | ik | /ɪk/ | |
| Innis- | IN-ish | /ˈɪnɪʃ/ | Mostly in Irish placenames |
This list does not include place names in the United Kingdom or the United States, or places following spelling conventions of non-English languages. For UK place names, see List of irregularly spelled places in the United Kingdom. For US place names, see List of irregularly spelled places in the United States.
This list includes territories of the United Kingdom and the United States not wholly annexed into either country.
Bold names are common; so, while not intuitive, they are among the most well-used. Names in italics are names of non-English origin common among English speakers and only irregular in English pronunciation.
| Name | Pronunciation | Notability | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respelling | IPA | |||
| Alicia Silverstone | ə-lee-SEE-ə | /əliˈsiː.ə/ | American actor | According to her; mainly regular outside North America |
| Anna Faris | like Ana | /ˈɑːnə/ | American actor and comedian | Pronunciation mainly regular outside the US and Canada |
| Antawn Jamison | like Antoine | /ˈæntwɑːn/ | American basketball player | |
| Chone Figgins | like Shawn | /ˈʃɔːn/ | American baseball player | Shortened from DeChone |
| Chynna Phillips | like China | /ˈtʃaɪnə/ | American singer and actor | |
| Colin Powell | KOH-lin | /ˈkoʊlɪn/ | American politician | |
| Dav Pilkey | like Dave | /deɪv/ | American author and illustrator | |
| Diane Arbus | like Deanne | /diːˈæn/ | American photographer | Regular for other holders |
| Dwyane Wade | like Dwayne | /dweɪn/ | American basketball player | |
| Elle Reeve | like Ellie | /ɛliː/ | American journalist | |
| Ian Eagle | EYE-ən | /ˈaɪən/ | American sports announcer | |
| Ian Ziering | EYE-ən | /ˈaɪən/ | American actor | |
| Jäd Saxton | like Jade | /dʒeɪd/ | American actor and voice actor | |
| Jeanne Moos | like Jeannie | /ˈdʒiːniː/ | American journalist | |
| Joel Anthony | joh-EL | /dʒoʊˈɛl/ | Canadian basketball player | Regular for other holders |
| Joni Eareckson Tada | like Johnny | /ˈdʒɑːniː/ | American author, radio host, and artist | |
| Jrue Holiday | like Drew | /druː/ | American basketball player | |
| Kiki Cuyler | KY-ky | /ˈkaɪkaɪ/ | American baseball player and coach | |
| MaliVai Washington | MAL-ə-vee-ə | /ˈmæləviːə/ | American tennis player | |
| Marÿke Hendrikse | mə-RAY-kə | /məˈreɪkə/ | Bahamian-Canadian actor and voice actor | |
| Michellie Jones | mih-KEE-lee | /mɪˈkiːli/ | Australian triathlete | |
| Mikki Moore | MY-key | /ˈmaɪki/ | American basketball player | |
| Monta Ellis | MON-tay | /ˈmɒnteɪ/ | American basketball player | |
| Ramon Sessions | rah-MAHN | /rɑːˈmɑːn/ | American basketball player | Regular outside the US and Canada |
| Sachia Vickery | like Sasha | /ˈsɑːʃə/ | American tennis player | |
| Shanna Moakler | like Shayna | /ˈʃeɪnə/ | American model and actor | Pronunciation mainly regular outside the US |
| Wynonna Judd | wy-NOH-nə | /waɪˈnoʊnə/ | American country singer | |
| Zoe Lofgren | ZOH | /zoʊ/ | American politician and lawyer | Regular for other holders |
| Name | Pronunciation | Notability | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respelling | IPA | |||
| Aaron Copland | like Copeland | /ˈkoʊplənd/ | American composer | |
| Andre Dubus | də-BYOOS | /dəˈbjuːs/ | American novelist | |
| Andrew P. Iosue[10] | OZ-way | /ˈɒzweɪ/ | American general | |
| Annastacia Palaszczuk | PAL-ə-shay | /ˈpæləʃeɪ/ | Australian politician | |
| Benjamin Huger | OO-jee, OO-jay | /ˈuːdʒi/, /ˈuːdʒeɪ/ | Confederate American general | |
| Bill Nighy | like nigh | /naɪ/ | British actor | |
| Bill Veeck | VEK | /vɛk/ | American baseball executive | |
| Brett Favre | FARV | /fɑːrv/ | American football player | |
| Cary Elwes | EL-wis | /ˈɛlwɪs/ | English actor | Commonly pronounced EL-wayz /ˈɛlweɪz/ |
| Cecelia Cichan | like Sheehan | /ˈʃiːhən/ | American plane crash survivor | |
| Clarence Mackay | like Mackey | /ˈmæki/ | American financier | |
| Clayton Yeutter | YIGH-tər | /ˈjaɪtər/ | American politician | |
| Cliff Politte | poll-EET | /pɒˈliːt/ | American baseball player | |
| Clifford Geertz | GURTS | /ɡɜːrts/ | American anthropologist | |
| Craig Chaquico | chə-KEE-so | /tʃəˈkiːsoʊ/ | American musician | Mimics Portuguese Chaquiço |
| Dan Cortese | like Cortez | /kɔːrˈtɛz/ | American actor and broadcaster | |
| Dan Majerle | like Marley | /ˈmɑːrli/ | American basketball player | |
| Dana Suesse | SWEESS | /swiːs/ | American composer | |
| Daniel Ricciardo | like Ricardo | /rɪˈkɑːrdoʊ/ | Australian racing driver | |
| Darrell Issa | EYE-sə | /ˈaɪsə/ | American politician and entrepreneur | |
| David Acer | AK-ər | /ˈækər/ | Canadian comedian and magician | |
| David Icke | like Ike | /aɪk/ | English conspiracy writer | |
| David Lange | LONG-ee | /ˈlɒŋi/ | 32nd prime minister of New Zealand | |
| Dionne Warwick | WOR-wick | /ˈwɔːrwɪk/ | American singer | |
| Don Ameche | ə-MEE-chee | /əˈmiːtʃiː/ | American actor | |
| Donald F. Glut | GLOOT | /ɡluːt/ | American writer and actor | |
| Edward Ruscha | roo-SHAY | /ruːˈʃeɪ/ | American painter | |
| Eli Broad | BROHD | /broʊd/ | American businessperson | |
| Elizabeth Goudge[11] | GOOJ | /ɡuːdʒ/ | English writer | |
| Fiennes family[11] | like fines | /faɪnz/ | British family of actors | |
| Geraldine McCaughrean | mə-KAWK-rən | /məˈkɔːkrən/ | British children's writer | |
| Guy Fieri | fee-EDD-ee | /fiˈɛdi/ | American restaurateur | |
| Heather Mizeur | mih-ZEER | /mɪˈzɪər/ | American politician | |
| Herman Wouk | like woke | /woʊk/ | American writer | |
| Hillary Haag | HAYG | /heɪɡ/ | American actor and voice actor | |
| Isaiah Canaan | like cannon | /ˈkænən/ | American basketball player | |
| Isley Brothers | IZE-lee | /ˈaɪzliː/ | American musicians | |
| Jackie Speier | like spear | /spɪər/ | American politician | Regular otherwise |
| James Anthony Froude[11] | FROOD | /fruːd/ | English historian and novelist | |
| James Naughtie | NAWKH-tee | /ˈnɔːxti/ | British journalist | |
| Jason Chaffetz | CHAY-fits | /ˈtʃeɪfɪts/ | American politician | |
| Jessie Grelle | GREE-lee | /ˈɡriːəlli/ | American actor and voice actor | |
| Jim Bakker | like baker | /ˈbeɪkər/ | American televangelist | |
| Jim Fuchs[12] | FYOOSH | /fjuːʃ/ | American shot put athlete | |
| John Boehner | BAY-nər | /ˈbeɪnər/ | American politician | |
| John Boozman | like Boseman | /ˈboʊzmən/ | American politician | |
| John Caius | like keys | /kiːz/ | English doctor | |
| John Donne | DUN | /dʌn/ | English poet and cleric | |
| John Keble | KEE-bəl | /ˈkiːbəl/ | English churchman and poet | |
| John H. Kerr | like car | /kɑːr/ | American politician | |
| Johnny Manziel | man-ZEL | /mænˈzɛl/ | American football player | |
| Jonathan Toews | TAYVZ | /teɪvz/ | Canadian hockey player | |
| Justin Duchsherer | DOOK-shər | /ˈduːkʃər/ | American baseball player | |
| K. C. Boutiette | BOO-tee-ay | /ˈbuːtieɪ/ | American speed skater | |
| Karch Kiraly | kirr-EYE | /kɪˈraɪ/ | American volleyball player and coach | |
| Karen Sillas | like Silas | /ˈsaɪləs/ | American actor | |
| Keir Dullea | də-LAY | /dəˈleɪ/ | American actor | |
| Kirk Rueter | REET-ər | /ˈriːtər/ | American baseball player | |
| Klaus Roth | ROHTH | /roʊθ/ | British mathematician | |
| L. David Mech | MEECH | /miːtʃ/ | American biologist | |
| LeGarrette Blount | like blunt | /blʌnt/ | American football player | |
| Larry Woiwode | WY-wuud-ee | /ˈwaɪwʊdi/ | American writer | |
| Laura Nyro | like Nero | /ˈnɪəroʊ/ | American musician | |
| Lauren Tewes | TWEEZ | /twiːz/ | American actor | |
| Lee Godie | GOH-day | /ˈɡoʊdeɪ/ | American painter | |
| Lisa Rieffel | rə-FEL | /rəˈfɛl/ | American actor and musician | |
| Lou Piniella | pə-NEL-ə | /pəˈnɛlə/ | American baseball player and manager | |
| Marge Roukema | ROK-ə-mə | /ˈrɒkəmə/ | American politician | |
| Marin Mazzie | MAY-zee | /ˈmeɪzi/ | American actor | |
| Mary Renault | REN-ohlt | /ˈrɛnoʊlt/ | English novelist | |
| Matt Groening | GRAY-ning | /ˈɡreɪnɪŋ/ | American cartoonist | |
| Mike Doughty | DOH-tee | /ˈdoʊti/ | American musician | |
| Mike Krzyzewski | shih-ZHEF-skee | /ʃɪˈʒɛfski/ | American college basketball coach | Mimics Polish Krzyżewski but with a silent initial "k" |
| Patricia Wrede | REED-ee | /ˈriːdi/ | American author | |
| Patti Scialfa | SKAL-fə | /ˈskælfə/ | American singer | |
| Pete Reiser | REESS-ər | /ˈriːsər/ | American baseball player and coach | |
| Peter Agre | AHG-ray | /ˈɑːɡreɪ/[13] | American chemist | |
| Rachael Scdoris | sə-DOR-iss | /səˈdɔːrɪs/ | American musher | |
| Randy Neugebauer | NAWG-ə-bao-ər | /ˈnɔːɡəbaʊ.ər/ | American politician | |
| Rob Kearney | like Carney | /ˈkɑːrni/ | Irish rugby player | |
| Robert Fulghum | FUL-jəm | /ˈfʊldʒəm/ | American writer | |
| Robert Faucheux | foh-SHAY | /foʊˈʃeɪ/ | American politician | |
| Robert Horry | ORR-ee | /ˈɒri/ | American basketball player | |
| Robert Mapplethorpe | MAY-pəl-THORP | /ˈmeɪpəlθɔːrp/ | American photographer | |
| Roger Boisjoly | boh-zhə-LAY | /boʊʒəˈleɪ/ | American aerospace engineer | |
| Roger B. Taney | like tawny | /ˈtɔːni/ | American former Chief Justice | |
| Ron Faucheux | foh-SHAY | /foʊˈʃeɪ/ | American lawyer and scholar | |
| Ronald Fedkiw | FED-ko | /ˈfɛdkoʊ/ | American mathematician | |
| Samuel Pepys | like Peeps | /piːps/ | English MP | |
| Sandra Fluke | FLUUK | /flʊk/ | American lawyer and women's rights activist | May be regular outside the US |
| Sara Bareilles | bə-REL-iss | /bəˈrɛlɪs/ | American musician | |
| Shia LaBeouf | lə-BUF | /ləˈbʌf/ | American actor | |
| Simone Giertz | YETCH | /jɛtʃ/ | Swedish engineer and internet personality | Mimics Swedish /jæʈːʂ/ |
| Stephen Cole Kleene | KLAYN-ee | /ˈkleɪniː/ | American mathematician | |
| Terri Schiavo | SHY-voh | /ˈʃaɪvoʊ/ | American, subject of Terri Schiavo case | |
| Thomas Carew | like Carey | /ˈkɛəriː/ | English poet | |
| Todd Tiahrt | TEE-hart | /ˈtiːhɑːrt/ | American politician | |
| Vernon Dahmer | DAY-mər | /ˈdeɪmər/ | American activist | |
| William Butler Yeats | like Yates | /jeɪts/ | Irish poet and playwright | |
| William Foege | FAY-ghee | /ˈfeɪɡi/ | American physician | |
| William Froude[11] | FROOD | /fruːd/ | British naval engineer | |
| William Hulme[11] | like Hume | /hjuːm/ | English lawyer | |
| William Whewell | HEW-əl | /ˈhjuːəl/ | English polymath | |