New York is infamous for town names that leave GPS devices—and out-of-towners—baffled. These names, with roots in Dutch, Native American, and unusual local traditions, consistently trip people up.
11 New York Town Names That Challenge Pronunciation
Schenectady (ski-NECK-tuh-dee), often mangled by visitors.
Coxsackie (cook-SAH-kee), not “cocks-ackie”.
Canajoharie (can-uh-joe-HARRY), not “can-a-joh-hairy”.
Schaghticoke (ska-ti-COOK), not “shag-ti-coke”.
Skaneateles (skinny-AT-liss), not “skan-ee-ah-teels”.
Oneonta (oh-nee-AH-nuh), not “one-oh-nah-ta”.
Hoosick (WHO-sick), not “hoo-zik” or “hoo-zeek”.
Cayuga (kay-YOO-guh), not “cay-oo-ga”.
Rensselaer (RENS-uh-ler), not “ren-SEH-lair”.
Shawangunk (sha-WONG-gum), nicknamed “the Gunks” for a reason.
Aquebogue (ah-KEE-bogue), especially confusing for non-Long Islanders.
Successfully mastering these pronunciations earns serious “local” status in New York State—and might just keep a GPS from total meltdown.
SOURCES
(https://secretnyc.co/hardest-town-to-pronounce-in-new-york-schenectady-ny/)(https://wnbf.com/ixp/81/p/upstate-ny-city-named-toughest-to-pronounce-nationwide/)(https://nypost.com/2025/06/01/us-news/these-are-nycs-most-mispronounced-neighborhoods/)(https://wpdh.com/mispronounced-ny-town-meanings/)
(https://lite987.com/america-mispronounced-town-new-york/)
