ere are 11 Washington places that many struggle to pronounce correctly on their first try:
- Wenatchee — pronounced “wuh-NA-chee.”
- Okanogan — said as “oak-u-NAW-gun.”
- Skagit — pronounced “SKA-jit.”
- Puyallup — pronounced “pew-ALL-up.”
- Pend Oreille — pronounced “PON-dohr-AY.”
- Sequim — pronounced “skwim.”
- Tuolumne (a place name from nearby in California often confused in the region) — pronounced “too-ALL-um-nee.”
- Poulsbo — pronounced “PAULS-bo.”
- Issaquah — pronounced “ISS-uh-kwah,” with note that “ICE-uh-kwah” is a common mistake.
- Yakima — pronounced “YAK-uh-mah,” just like the Yakama tribe.
- Clallam — pronounced “CLALL-um.”
These place names have roots in Native American languages and local history, which often leads newcomers to mispronounce them. Locals emphasize certain syllables or mute letters, which can be confusing at first. Learning the correct pronunciation is a rite of passage in Washington and helps you fit in better with residents.
SOURCES
[1](http://www.cohp.org/wa/notes/placenames_pronunciation.html)
[2](https://washingtonourhome.com/say-wa-how-to-pronounce-washingtons-city-names/)
[3](https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/1v3k2i/the_unofficial_seattle_area_pronunciation_guide/)
[4](https://rex.libraries.wsu.edu/esploro/outputs/book/Washington-names-A-pronunciation-guide-of/99900501009201842)
[5](https://www.scenicwa.com/how-to-speak-washington)
