South Carolina is known for its charming towns and rich history, but many of its place names are famously tricky to pronounce correctly on the first try. Here are 10 such place names along with their proper pronunciations and some background to help visitors sound like locals.
- Abbeville
Pronounced “AB-uh-vil” or “AB-ee-vil”, this town in the northwestern part of the state is often mispronounced with too much emphasis or extra syllables. Locals prefer a softer ending, making it sound almost two syllables. - Cayce
Pronounced “KAY-see”, this name surprises many who might try to say “kay-ess” or “case.” It is simple but exact, a common mistake for newcomers. - Chapin
Locally said as “CHAY-pin”, the emphasis is on the first syllable with a soft second syllable. This town’s name often trips visitors who try to pronounce it phonetically as it appears. - Chappells
Pronounced “CHAP-uls” (sounding like “chaples”), this town in Newberry County softens the double “p” sound and stresses the first syllable. It’s a subtle but important difference to get right. - Guignard
This tricky name is said as “GIN-yard” or “GIN-yurd”, with a hard “g” sound; it is often mispronounced by outsiders. It’s used for street names in Sumter and Charleston and carries a French influence. - Horry
Drop the “h” and say “O-ree” — locals almost never pronounce the initial “h.” Horry County, where Myrtle Beach is located, has this distinctive pronunciation that surprises visitors. - Huger
Depending on the region, this name is either pronounced “U-gee” or “Hue-ger”. Charleston purists drop the “h” sound, while others may pronounce the “r” lightly or not at all. - Lancaster
Pronounced “LANK-uh-stur”, not “LAN-cass-ter,” the emphasis is firmly on the first syllable with a long “a.” This town in the northern part of the state boasts this distinctive pronunciation. - Legare
With French roots, this is said “luh-GREE”, with the stress on the last syllable, which is often a surprise to visitors expecting a more English pronunciation. - McPherson
Pronounced “muck-FEAR-sun”, the middle syllable rhymes with “fear” or “peer,” contrary to what outsiders might expect. This subtle phonetic twist is part of the local charm.
South Carolina’s place names reflect its rich cultural and linguistic heritage, ranging from Native American to French and English influences. Mastering these pronunciations not only shows respect but also connects visitors more deeply with the local history and people. It’s a fun challenge that can spark conversations and smiles among South Carolinians proud of their unique Palmetto State identity.
Sources
(https://www.sciway.net/ccr/sc-pronunciations.html)
(https://beaufortdistrictcollectionconnections.blogspot.com/2008/05/correct-mispronunciations-of-some-south.html)
(https://chstoday.6amcity.com/street-name-pronunciation-guide-charleston-sc)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsAyKqsObjc)
(https://www.southernthing.com/we-try-to-pronounce-south-carolina-town-names-2633688767.html)
