As the second-largest state in the U.S., Texas is home to dozens of cities you may never have heard of or apparently not even know how to pronounce.
A new study by the Austin American-Statesman recently revealed the 21 most commonly mispronounced city names in the Lone Star State.
Here are the top ten that you might discover you’ve been saying wrong your whole life…
As the second largest state in the US, Texas is home to dozens of cities you may have never heard of or apparently don’t even know how to pronounce
The name Amarillo, which means yellow in Spanish, was likely chosen for the color of the “subsoil in nearby Amarillo Creek,” according to the city’s website.
1. Yellow: ‘AM-uh-RIL-oh’.
It is often mispronounced as ‘Ah-mah-REE-yo’ or ‘Am-uh-REE-yo’, the correct pronunciation is ‘AM-uh-RIL-oh’.
The name Amarillo, which means yellow in Spanish, was likely chosen for the color of the “subsoil in nearby Amarillo Creek,” according to the city’s website.
Many houses were painted yellow in honor of the name. Even the county courthouse, built in 1888, was made of materials from Amarillo Creek.
2. Bexar: ‘Behr’ or ‘Bear’
The city is named after San Antonio de Béxar, one of the 23 Mexican municipalities (administrative divisions) of Texas at the time of its independence, and the first civil government established by the Spanish in the province of Texas.
Commonly said as “Behr” or “Bear”, the correct way to say it is “Bear”.
The city is named after San Antonio de Béxar, one of the 23 Mexican municipalities (administrative divisions) of Texas at the time of its independence, and the first civil government established by the Spanish in the province of Texas.
3. Boerne: ‘BER-nee’
John James, a Bexar County surveyor, discovered the land that would become Boerne. He, along with a man named Gustav Theissen, founded Boerne in 1852. They named it after the German author and publicist Karl Ludwig Börne.
This one trips up many with its appearance. He is pronounced “BER-nee.”
John James, a Bexar County surveyor, discovered the land that would become Boerne. He, along with a man named Gustav Theissen, founded Boerne in 1852.
They named it after German author and publicist Karl Ludwig Börne, according to the city’s website.
4. Humble: ‘UM-bull’
In 1886, when Pleasant Humble opened a post office in his home, he established the Humble name.
Despite the spelling, it should be pronounced “UM-bull”, not “HUHM-bull”.
Pleasant Smith Humble came to what would later become the town of Humble before the Civil War. After acquiring land along the San Jacinto River, he began operating a ferry near the area where Highway 59 crosses the river today. He also reportedly served as a “justice of the peace.”
In 1886, when Pleasant Humble opened a post office in his home, he established the Humble name.
5. Iran: ‘Eye-ruh-ANN.’
In 1926, a gush of oil reached the remote Pecos County ranch of Ira and Ann Yates. Oil field workers flooded a new overnight city called Iran
In 1926, a gush of oil reached the remote Pecos County ranch of Ira and Ann Yates. Oilfield workers flooded into a new overnight city called Iran.
6. Nacogdoches: ‘Na-kuh-DOH-chuhs.’
Na cogdoches, one of the oldest towns in Texas, owes its name to the Caddo word ‘Nacogdoche’, which means ‘the place where the prickly pear grows.’
Na cogdoches, one of the oldest towns in Texas, derives its name from the Caddo word ‘Nacogdoche’, meaning ‘the place where the prickly pear grows.’
7. Palestine: ‘PAHL-uh-steen.’
Unlike its Middle Eastern counterpart, this Texas city is pronounced PAHL-uh-steen. Palestine, Texas, named for settlers who admired its fertile land, was inspired by the biblical land of Palestine.
Unlike its Middle Eastern counterpart, this Texas city is pronounced PAHL-uh-steen. Palestine, Texas, was named after settlers who admired its fertile land and was inspired by the biblical land of Palestine.
8. Remover: ‘Kitty-Quay’ or ‘KIT-a-kway’
The name “Quitaque” is believed to come from the Comanche word “Kwihnai Kwihnai,” meaning “end of the road” or “place to stop.”
The name “Quitaque” is believed to come from the Comanche word “Kwihnai Kwihnai,” meaning “end of the road” or “place to stop.”
9. Waco: ‘WAY-ko’.
The name Waco is derived from the Waco Native American tribe that inhabited the area. It is believed to mean “chosen” or “the place where we live.”
The name Waco is derived from the Waco Native American tribe that inhabited the area. It is believed to mean “chosen” or “the place where we live.”
10. Waxahachie: ‘Waak-suh-HA-chee’.
The name Waxahachie comes from the Native American word “Waksahe,” which translates to “cow” or “buffalo.”
The name Waxahachie comes from the Native American word “Waksahe,” which translates to “cow” or “buffalo.” The town’s name reflects its beginnings as a cattle and buffalo hide trading post.
