Wisconsin is known for some of the trickiest town names in the United States, with many deriving from Native American, French, German, and Scandinavian origins. These names can easily confuse newcomers and even long-time residents. Here is a guide to 14 Wisconsin town names that can make your GPS—and tongue—have an existential crisis, complete with their correct pronunciations and a little background to help make them easy to remember.
1. Ashwaubenon
Pronounced Ash-wah-buh-non, this village near Green Bay is famous for its stadium district and loyal Packers fans.
2. Baraboo
Pronounced Bare-uh-Boo, this city in Sauk County is known for its beautiful bluff country and the Circus World Museum.
3. Boscobel
Pronounced Bahs-koh-Bell, this small town in Grant County gets its name from French words meaning “beautiful woods.”
4. Chetek
Pronounced Shuh-Tek, this city sits on the shores of Chetek Lake and is popular for fishing and boating.
5. Eau Claire
Pronounced Oh-Clair, meaning “clear water” in French, quietly boasts a growing arts and music scene.
6. Gillett
Pronounced Jill-it, this small city in Oconto County is known for its close-knit community and proximity to natural forests.
7. Iola
Pronounced Eye-oh-la, this town in Waupaca County is a hotspot for antique dealers and classic car enthusiasts.
8. Ixonia
Pronounced Ick-sohn-ee-uh, this less well-known town in Jefferson County combines rural charm with friendly locals.
9. Juneau
Pronounced Joo-no, this small town in Dodge County is far from the Alaskan capital but just as charming in its own right.
10. Kaukauna
Pronounced Kuh-KAW-nuh, this city straddles Outagamie and Calumet counties and is known as the “Electric City” for its hydroelectric plant.
11. Lodi
Pronounced Low-die, this city in Columbia County holds an annual cranberry festival celebrating Wisconsin’s top agricultural product.
12. Oconomowoc
Pronounced Oh-con-oh-moh-wok, this city in Waukesha County is a popular vacation spot with lakes and golf courses.
13. Viroqua
Pronounced Vihr-oh-kwah, this Vernon County city is beloved for its strong local food movement and community spirit.
14. Waunakee
Pronounced Wah-nuh-kee, known as “The Only Waunakee in the World,” this village north of Madison blends historic charm with modern development.
Many of these place names come from the languages of Wisconsin’s original Native American inhabitants like the Ojibwe, Menominee, Ho-Chunk, and Potawatomi peoples, or from French explorers and German immigrants. Their phonetics often don’t match straightforward English pronunciation rules, leading to the confusion many experience.
For anyone new to Wisconsin or traveling through, learning these pronunciations not only avoids embarrassing missteps but also shows respect for the rich cultural heritage behind the names. So next time your GPS struggles or your lips stumble over “Oconomowoc” or “Ashwaubenon,” just smile knowing you’re mastering part of Wisconsin’s unique linguistic landscape.
Sources
(https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-05-13-these-are-wisconsins-most-mispronounced-cities/)
(https://97zokonline.com/hardest-wisconsin-towns-to-pronounce/)
(https://www.jsonline.com/story/life/2019/06/20/wisconsin-words-youre-probably-mispronouncing/1487416001/)
(https://www.wbanewsroom.org/wisconsin-pronunciation-guide/)
(https://www.sco.wisc.edu/2025/04/28/new-version-of-pronounce-wisconsin-released/)
