Here are 11 Missouri town names that often confuse GPS systems and outsiders with their unexpected local pronunciations and spellings:
Auxvasse
Pronounced “Of-aw-zzz,” this town’s name is a surprising twist on its spelling, sounding quite unlike its French origin.
Bolivar
Locals say “Ball-i-ver,” diverging from the Spanish pronunciation of Simón Bolívar, reflecting Missouri’s unique twist.
Bona
Pronounced “Bah-nuh,” simple yet can be misread by those unfamiliar with local speech patterns.
Canalou
Said as “Ca-now-lou,” this one trips up visitors expecting a French sound but gets a more Anglicized pronunciation.
Hayti
Pronounced “Hey-tie,” it sounds casual and friendly, unlike the Caribbean nation it shares its name with.
Kearney
Locals say “Car-knee,” which can confuse GPS algorithms and newcomers alike.
Laquey
Pronounced “Lake-way,” a softer, approachable pronunciation that takes some guesswork to master.
Lebanon
Said as “Lebuh-nun,” with a soft middle syllable that many first-timers miss.
Milan
Pronounced “My-luhn,” distinct from the Italian city’s name and another example of regional flavor.
Nevada
Locals say “Ne-vay-duh,” similar to how some southern states pronounce their Nevada towns—not like the state in the west.
Versailles
Pronounced “Ver-sail-s,” dropping the French flair for a classic Missouri adaptation.
Missouri’s place names reflect its rich history shaped by Native American, French, and southern American influences. These names showcase how pronunciation evolves locally, causing even lifelong residents some, and most GPS systems much, difficulty.
Sources
(https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-05-21-missouris-most-mispronounced-cities-and-towns/)
(https://www.kbia.org/arts-and-culture/2013-09-12/why-cant-missouri-pronounce-its-towns-right)
(https://reader.ku.edu/sites/reader/files/2024-12/Missouri%20Place%20Names.pdf)
(https://books.google.com/books/about/A_Pronunciation_Guide_to_Missouri_Place.html?id=V53xfpIiJ7MC)
(https://www.reddit.com/r/missouri/comments/160ozgt/familiar_place_names_alternate_pronunciations/)
