Nevada is full of surprises—from wild desert landscapes to exciting cities like Las Vegas and Reno. But one thing you won’t expect? How tricky it can be to pronounce some of the place names! These names may look simple, but trust us, locals will know instantly if you’re not “from around here.”
Whether it’s Native American roots, Spanish influence, or just plain odd spelling, Nevada has a list of town names that even experienced travellers struggle to pronounce right on the first go.
Here are 11 Nevada place names that are way harder to say than you’d think.
1. Ely
Looks like: “Ellie” or “El-why”
Actual pronunciation: EE-lee
Yep, it’s a short one—but easy to mess up if you’re not careful.
2. Winnemucca
Looks like: “Winna-mooka”
Actual pronunciation: Win-uh-MUCK-uh
Say that three times fast! This northern Nevada town is a real tongue-twister.
3. Pahrump
Looks like: “Puh-rump”
Actual pronunciation: Puh-RUMP
Yes, it sounds funny—and that’s exactly how locals say it.
4. Verdi
Looks like: “Ver-dee” (like the Italian composer)
Actual pronunciation: Ver-dye
Locals will definitely correct you if you go the Italian route.
5. Mesquite
Looks like: “Mez-kweet”
Actual pronunciation: Mes-keet
It’s not as complicated as it seems, but still commonly said wrong by outsiders.
6. Nevada
Let’s clear this one up!
It’s Nev-AD-uh, not Nev-AH-duh.
Even the state name itself gets butchered all the time, especially by people from out of state.
7. Moapa
Looks like: “Moe-ah-pa”
Actual pronunciation: Moe-APP-uh
Located near Las Vegas, this town is small but hard to say right the first time.
8. Owyhee
Looks like: “Oh-why-hee” or “Ow-yee”
Actual pronunciation: Oh-WYE-hee
Yes, it sounds like Hawaii, and the name even has similar roots. But it’s located far from any beach.
9. Tonopah
Looks like: “Toh-no-pah”
Actual pronunciation: TOE-nuh-pah
A historic mining town that will trip up your tongue if you’re not careful.
10. Tuh-ya-bee
Actually spelled: Toiyabe
Looks like: “Toy-a-bay”
Actual pronunciation: TOY-yah-bee
This mountain range’s name is easy to misread—and even harder to get right on your first try.
11. Jarbidge
Looks like: “Jar-bidge” (rhyming with fridge)
Actual pronunciation: JAR-bidge
You’re probably thinking too hard—just say it like it rhymes with “fridge,” and you’re good.
Pronouncing place names in Nevada might seem simple—until you actually try saying them out loud. Whether you’re planning a road trip or moving to the Silver State, learning how to say these names correctly is part of becoming a true Nevadan. And remember: locals are always happy to correct you (with a smile).
