Special Report
Most People Will Struggle to Pronounce These Town Names
May 15, 2021 10:00 am
16. Fontainebleau, Florida
> Total characters: 13
> Total vowels: 7
> Population: 59,255
Fontainebleau (also spelled Fountainebleau) is in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The word originated in French, where it is pronounced “fawn-ten-bloh.” In the United States, it can be pronounced “fon-tin-bloh,” although in Florida locals call the hotel of the same name the “Fountain Blue.”
17. Fort Duchesne, Utah
> Total characters: 12
> Total vowels: 4
> Population: 685
Duchesne is pronounced “dushayne.” It is a common French name meaning “of the oak tree.”
18. Hahira, Georgia
> Total characters: 6
> Total vowels: 3
> Population: 2,894
Hahira (“hay-HI-ra”) has perhaps the most obscure origin of any town on this list. Some say the name was created by the town’s first postmaster, but it remains a mystery.
19. Iaeger, West Virginia
> Total characters: 6
> Total vowels: 4
> Population: 307
Take a trip to Iaeger (“YAY-ger”) and you might be lucky enough to run into one of the 302 people who live there. Named for Col. William G. W. Iaeger, this town has had some easier-to-pronounce names over the years, including “WIlliamsburg” and “Forks on the River.”
20. Igiugig, Alaska
> Total characters: 7
> Total vowels: 4
> Population: 46
Igiugig is a tiny village with a population of only 69, consisting mainly of Yupik Eskimos, Aleuts, and Athabascan people. According to the Department of Community and Economic Development, it’s pronounced “ig-ee-UH-gig.”
Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.