We Dare You to Say These 11 Florida Places Correctly on Your First Try (Spoiler: You Can’t)

Here are 11 Florida places that most people cannot say correctly on their first try, along with their proper pronunciations:

1. Apalachicola: Pronounced “APP-a-LATCH-i-CO-la” with a singsong rhythm emphasizing the first, third, and fifth syllables.
2. Boca Grande: Pronounced “BO-ka grand” with a strong accent on the first syllable.
3. Captiva: Pronounced “cap-TEE-va” with emphasis on the second syllable.
4. Kissimmee: Pronounced “Kiss-IMM-ee” (rhymes with “gimme”), not “KISS-i-mee.”
5. Micanopy: Pronounced “mick-a-no-PEE,” with fairly even syllable stress.
6. Nokomis: Pronounced “NA-ko-mis,” where the first vowel sounds like “A” more than an “O.”
7. Okeechobee: Pronounced “OH-ki-cho-be,” straightforward and phonetic.
8. Punta Gorda: Pronounced “PUNT-a gorda,” Americanized from the Spanish.
9. Tamiami: Pronounced “TAM-ee-AM-ee,” derived from “Tampa-Miami Trail.”
10. Wimauma: Pronounced “WHY-momma,” with a broad, flat, Southern accent.
11. Wauchula: Pronounced “WUH-choo-la,” with a soft, mumbled emphasis.

These pronunciations reflect local preferences and regional variations often surprising to outsiders. Florida’s mix of Native American, Spanish, and English influences results in unique place-name pronunciations challenging to guess from spelling alone.

SOURCES

[1](https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2007/03/26/speak-floridian-a-guide-to-place-names/28568942007/)
[2](https://www.tcpalm.com/story/entertainment/2018/06/29/15-florida-towns-youre-probably-pronouncing-wrong/741826002/)
[3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vI40ILeaKw)
[4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z7J3rE5jAw)
[5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTMZzavr6j8)