Nevada is known for its deserts, mining towns, and famous cities like Las Vegas and Reno. But if you explore the state a little deeper, you’ll find towns with names that are so tricky, your GPS might stutter trying to say them. These town names come from Native American words, Spanish, and even early pioneer slang—making pronunciation a real challenge. Whether you’re driving through or just curious, here are 11 Nevada towns that your GPS (and maybe you!) will struggle to say correctly.
Pahrump
This town near the California border sounds like a drumbeat, but don’t try saying it too fast. It’s pronounced “Puh-RUMP.” Many outsiders say “PAR-ump” or “Pah-rumpa,” but locals keep it simple.
Elko
Looks easy, right? It is—just “EL-ko.” But some voice assistants try to over-pronounce it or split it into syllables, like “El-KOH.”
Yerington
It’s “YEHR-ing-tun,” not “Yuh-REE-ngton” or “Yearr-ing-ton.” This small town in western Nevada often leaves GPS systems confused.
Ely
This mining town is said “EE-lee,” not “Ellie” or “E-lie.” It may look short and simple, but you’d be surprised how often it’s said wrong.
Winnemucca
A big test for your pronunciation skills. It’s said “Win-uh-MUCK-uh.” Many tourists struggle with this one. Some say “Winna-moo-cha,” but that’s way off.
Tonopah
This town’s name comes from Native American roots. It’s pronounced “TOE-nuh-pah,” but it often comes out as “Tawn-o-puh” or “Tono-paw.”
Pioche
It looks French, and that confuses a lot of people. It’s actually “PEE-osh,” not “Pee-OH-chay” or “Pee-OH-chee.” GPS often misreads it badly.
Incline Village
This might sound easy, but some systems say it like “IN-clean” or “IN-kleen.” It’s simply “IN-cline,” like climbing uphill.
Caliente
This town’s name is Spanish for “hot,” and it’s pronounced “Cal-ee-EN-tay.” Many say it like “KAL-ee-ent” or just “Cal-ENT,” which misses the mark.
Mesquite
Often pronounced correctly as “Muh-SKEET,” but some folks say “Mez-kweet” or “Mess-kite.” GPS gets this one wrong more often than you’d think.
Schurz
Short and sharp—this one’s said “Shurz.” But depending on your accent or phone, it might come out as “Shoors,” “Shers,” or even “Skirts.”
Nevada has more than just gambling and ghost towns—it’s also packed with names that can really trip up your GPS or voice assistant. Whether the names come from Native American languages, Spanish, or just old mining days, they tell a story of the state’s rich and mixed history. Learning how to say these names the right way not only helps you get around—it makes you feel more connected to the places you visit. So next time you’re on a road trip through Nevada, don’t be surprised if your GPS struggles a little. Just remember, even locals sometimes have to think twice before saying “Winnemucca.”
SOURCES
[1] http://www.nv-landmarks.com/moving-vernacular.htm
[2] https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/you-say-nevada-i-say-nevada
[3] https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-nevada/how-nevada-are-you-can-you-pronounce-these-nevada-town-names-1882688/
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/geography/comments/1ie4u29/im_curious_on_what_the_correct_pronunciation_of/
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KAvciVzqSw
