Dictionary of Name Pronunciation
Get the correct audio and phonetic spelling of any name
Search over 100,000 names with audio guides and phonetic spelling keys.
The World's Largest Name Pronunciation Dictionary
Pronounce Names is a global pronunciation dictionary helping people learn how to correctly say personal names, celebrity names, international names, and brand names. Our database includes native audio recordings and phonetic spellings so you can confidently pronounce names from many languages.
Featured Pronunciation Guides
Gucci vs. Versace
Think "ci" sounds like "see" and "ce" sounds like "say"? Think again. Discover why both Gucci and Versace feature a soft "ch" sound, even though neither name contains the letters "ch" in its spelling.
Einstein vs. Epstein
Uncover the hidden linguistic rule behind the German "ei" sound shift. Learn why two names with the exact same spelling end up pronounced totally differently across regions and generations.
Llanfairpwllgwyngyll...
Think this famous Welsh village is impossible to say? Think again. Discover the simple trick behind learning how to fluidly pronounce the whole name in under a minute.
Richard to Dick
It stems from medieval rhyming games. In 12th-century England, common names were shortened by swapping initial letters - so Richard became Rick, which rhymed with Dick. Discover how medieval wordplay created surprising nicknames.
Siobhan
Origin & Language: Irish (Gaelic)
A classic Irish given name derived from the Anglo-Norman name Jehanne. Despite starting with "Si", the combination creates a soft "sh" sound in Gaelic orthography.
NAMES YOU MIGHT BE SAYING WRONG
Joaquín
wah-KEENOften mispronounced as "Joe-a-quin". In Spanish, the "J" acts like an "H" or "W" sound, making the first syllable soft.
Mireille
meer-AYOften mispronounced as "Mi-rail-ee". The French double "ille" ending softens into a smooth "ay" sound.
Gianna
JAHN-nahOften mispronounced as "Gee-ah-na". In Italian, the "i" after "G" is silent and simply softens the "G" to a hard "J" sound.
Goethe
GUR-tuhOften mispronounced as "Go-eth". The German "oe" vowel combo makes a rounded vowel sound similar to "ur".
Rhys
REESOften mispronounced as "Rice" or "Rhee". In Welsh orthography, the "y" acts as a long "ee" sound.
Niamh
NEEVOften mispronounced as "Nee-am". In Irish orthography, "mh" creates a soft "v" sound.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Name Pronunciation
How can I find the correct pronunciation of a name?
Simply type the name into the Pronounce Names search bar. Our pronunciation dictionary provides native audio recordings, syllable-by-syllable phonetic spellings, and regional pronunciation variations.
How does Pronounce Names show pronunciation?
Pronounce Names shows pronunciation using phonetic spellings, audio recordings, or both. Phonetic spellings break names into syllables and use CAPITAL letters to indicate the stressed syllable (for example, wah-KEEN). Many entries also include audio recordings so you can hear how the name is spoken.
Where do the pronunciations come from?
Pronouncing someone's name correctly is a sign of respect and cultural awareness. Names are an important part of personal identity, and learning the correct pronunciation helps improve communication and avoid misunderstandings. Pronounce Names helps people learn how to say names from different languages and cultures using phonetic spellings and audio recordings.
What are the phonetic pronunciation keys used on this site?
We use a unique phonetic key system that breaks names into syllables, using UPPERCASE or BOLD letters to indicate which syllable to stress (e.g., wah-KEEN). This makes it easy for English speakers to master complex international names.
Why is it important to pronounce names correctly?
Pronounce Names is a crowd-based pronunciation dictionary built with contributions from people around the world. Native speakers and community members submit phonetic spellings and audio recordings to help others pronounce names correctly. In addition, we work with native speakers to record pronunciations for many names to improve accuracy and coverage.
What languages does Pronounce Names support?
Pronounce Names includes pronunciations for names from many languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Irish, Welsh, and more.
Can I contribute my name to the pronunciation database?
Yes! Pronounce Names is a community-driven pronunciation dictionary. Users can submit phonetic spellings and audio recordings to help others learn how to pronounce names correctly.