The 10 Texas city names you’ve been saying wrong your entire life – including the town that’s WAY different from its Middle-Eastern inspiration
As the second largest state in the US, Texas is home to countless cities you may not have heard of – or, as it seems, even know how to pronounce.
A new study by the Austin American-Statesman recently revealed the 21 most mispronounced city names in the Lone Star State.
Here are the top ten things you might discover you’ve been saying wrong your entire life…
As the second largest state in the US, Texas is home to countless cities you may not have heard of – or, as it seems, even know how to pronounce them
The name Amarillo, which means yellow in Spanish, was most likely chosen because of the color of the “subsurface in nearby Amarillo Creek,” according to the city’s website.
1. Amarillo: ‘AM-uh-RIL-oh.’
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 most likely chosen because of the color of the “subsurface in nearby Amarillo Creek,” according to the city’s website.
In honor of the name, many houses were painted yellow. Even the county courthouse built in 1888 was made of materials from Amarillo Creek.
2. Bexar: ‘Behr’ or ‘Beer’,
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 civilian government established by the Spanish in the province of Texas.
Often said as ‘Behr’ or ‘Beer’, the correct way to say it is ‘Beer’.
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 civilian government established by the Spanish in the province of Texas.
3. Boerne: ‘BER-no’
John James, a surveyor from Bexar County, discovered the land that would be Boerne. Together with a man named Gustav Theissen, he founded Boerne in 1852. They named it after the German author and publicist Karl Ludwig Börne.
This one disappoints many with its appearance. It is pronounced ‘BER-no.’
John James, a surveyor from Bexar County, discovered the land that would be Boerne. Together with a man named Gustav Theissen, he founded Boerne in 1852.
According to the city’s website, they named it after German author and publicist Karl Ludwig Börne.
4. Modest: ‘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’ and not ‘HUHM-bull’.
Pleasant Smith Humble arrived in what would 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 ‘judge 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 flood of oil blew over Ira and Ann Yates’ remote farm in Pecos County. Oilfield workers poured into a new city that sprung up overnight and was called Iraan
In 1926, an oil spill blew into Ira and Ann Yates’ remote farm in Pecos County. Oilfield workers poured into a new city that sprung up overnight and was called Iraan.
6. Nacogdoches: ‘Na-kuh-DOH-chuhs.’
Na Cogdoches, one of the oldest towns in Texas, takes its name from the Caddo word “Nacogdoche,” meaning “the place where the prickly pear grows.”
Na Cogdoches, one of the oldest towns in Texas, takes its name from the Caddo word “Nacogdoche,” meaning “the place where the prickly pear grows.”
7. Palestine: “PAHL-uh-stone.”
Unlike its Middle Eastern counterpart, this Texas city is pronounced PAHL-uh-steen. Named Palestine, Texas by colonists who admired its fertile land, it was inspired by the Biblical land of Palestine
Unlike its Middle Eastern counterpart, this Texas city is pronounced PAHL-uh-steen. Named Palestine, Texas by colonists who admired its fertile land, it was inspired by the Biblical land of Palestine.
8. Quitaque: ‘Kitty-Quay’ or ‘KIT-a-kway’
It is believed that the name ‘Quitaque’ comes from the Comanche word ‘Kwihnai Kwihnai’, meaning ‘end of the trail’ or ‘place to stop’.
It is believed that the name ‘Quitaque’ comes from the Comanche word ‘Kwihnai Kwihnai’, meaning ‘end of the trail’ or ‘place to stop’.
9. Waco: ‘WAY-ko.’
Waco’s name is derived from the Waco Native American tribe that inhabited the area. It is believed to mean ‘chosen’ or ‘the place where we live’
Waco’s name 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.’
Waxahachie’s name comes from the Native American word ‘Waksahe’, which translates to ‘cow’ or ‘buffalo’
Waxahachie’s name comes from the Native American word ‘Waksahe’, which translates to ‘cow’ or ‘buffalo’. The town’s name reflects its early days as a trading post for cattle and buffalo hides.