Wyoming is full of place names that trip up even seasoned travelers and new residents alike. Many of these names come from Native American languages, French, or are simply pronounced differently by locals than you’d expect. Here are ten of the most commonly mispronounced Wyoming places, along with their correct pronunciations and a brief explanation.
| Place Name | Correct Pronunciation | Common Mistake(s) | Notes/Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vedauwoo | VEE-da-voo | Vee-da-woo | From the Arapaho word “bito’o’wu” meaning “earthborn”. |
| Dubois | DEW-boyz | Dewb-wah (French) | Locals intentionally mispronounce it as a protest against the French name. |
| Wapiti | WAH-pi-tee | Wah-pee-tee, Wuh-PEET-ee | From the Cree word for elk; careful with the middle syllable. |
| Togwotee Pass | TOGA-tee | Tog-waa-tee, Toge-A-Tee | Name means “lance thrower” or “exactly there”. |
| Meeteetse | Me-TEET-see | Mee-tee-tee, Mee-teet-see | Derived from a Native phrase meaning “meeting place”. |
| Popo Agie | Puh-POE-zha (or Po Po Sha) | Po-po-ag-ee, Po-po-ah-gee | Shoshone for “beginning of the waters”. |
| Washakie | WAH-shuh-key | Wah-sha-kee, Wah-SHAA-key | Named after Chief Washakie. |
| Kemmerer | KEM-er-er | Kem-er-er, Kemmer | Locals often shorten it to “Kemmer”. |
| Gros Ventre | Grow-VONT | Gross-vent-ree | French for “big belly”; used for river, mountains, and wilderness. |
| Ethete | EE-tha-tee | Eh-theet, Eh-thet | Shoshone word meaning “good” or “OK”. |
Additional Challenging Names
- Absaroka: Ab-SOR-kuh, not Ab-suh-ROKE-uh.
- Shoshone: Shuh-SHO-nee (also a town and forest).
- Rawlins: RAW-linz, not Rawlings.
- Kaycee: k-SEE, not Casey.
- Wamsutter: WAM-sut-ter, not Wham-suiter or Warm-sutter.
- Opal: OH-pal, not OH-paul.
Why Are These So Hard?
Many Wyoming place names are derived from Native American languages (Arapaho, Shoshone, Cree), French, or are anglicized in unexpected ways. Locals often develop their own pronunciations, sometimes intentionally diverging from the original or expected versions as in the case of Dubois.
Quick Tips
- When in doubt, ask a local or listen for how residents say it.
- Don’t assume French or phonetic rules will apply.
- Expect some playful local pride in correcting newcomers!
Wyoming’s place names are as unique as its landscapes—so don’t feel bad if you don’t get them right the first time. Even locals enjoy the challenge.
Sources:
- https://wakeupwyo.com/most-commonly-mispronounced-places-in-wyoming/
- https://cowboystatedaily.com/2023/06/11/youre-saying-it-wrong-the-most-mispronounced-wyoming-places/
- https://wakeupwyo.com/the-visitors-guide-to-prouncing-these-weird-wyoming-town-names/
- https://mycountry955.com/the-10-most-mispronounced-names-in-wyoming-ever/
- https://laramielive.com/10-small-wyoming-places-known-for-very-big-things/