Oregon is known for its many unique and sometimes challenging place names, especially for visitors and newcomers. Here’s a brief guide to pronunciation for some of the most tricky Oregon place names:
Willamette: Pronounced “Will-LAMB-et” (often joked as “Willamette Dammit” to remember).
Yachats: “YAH-hats,” often pronounced incorrectly by outsiders.
Coquille: “Co-KEEL.”
The Dalles: “The DALZ,” rhymes with “pals.”
Deschutes: “Duh-SHOOTS.”
Umatilla: “You-MAH-till-A.”
Yaqa: “YAH-hots.”
Tigard: “TIE-gurd,” like “tiger” with a “d.”
Molalla: “Mo-LAH-la.”
Tillamook: “TILL-a-mook,” rhymes with “book.”
Wallowa: “Wuh-LOW-wah,” the second syllable rhymes with “cow.”
Champoeg: “Sham-Poo-ee.”
Many Oregon place names have Native American origins or are derived from French, leading to pronunciations that often differ from spelling. For a more comprehensive guide, resources like local pronunciation guides or dedicated Oregon pronunciation websites can be very helpful.
The challenge of pronouncing these names correctly often becomes part of the cultural charm and local identity. Embracing the correct pronunciation is a great way to connect more authentically with Oregon’s rich history and diverse communities.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.reddit.com/r/Portland/comments/12e1r7a/10_hardtopronounce_oregon_words_that_even_confuse/)[2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbdjBfDv6cs)
[3](https://www.up.edu/portland/oregon-pronunciation-guide.html)
[4](https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/oregon/2025/06/18/oregon-pronunciations-cities-rivers-mountains/84150029007/)
[5](https://search.library.ucsb.edu/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma990005031470203776&context=L&vid=01UCSB_INST%3AUCSB&lang=en&adaptor=Local+Search+Engine&tab=Everything&query=sub%2Cexact%2CNames%2C+Geographical+–+Oregon%2CAND&offset=0&pcAvailability=true)
