List of irregularly spelled English names
This is a set of lists of English personal and place names having pronunciations that are counterintuitive to their spelling because the pronunciation does not accord with conventional spelling/pronunciation associations, or because a better known namesake with the same spelling has a markedly different pronunciation. The latter types are known as heterophonic names or heterophones.
Excluded are the numerous spellings which fail to make the pronunciation obvious without actually being at odds with convention: for example, the pronunciation of Schenectady is not immediately obvious, but neither is it counterintuitive.
See for guides to the IPA symbols used, and variations depending on dialect.
Place names
Boldened names indicate place names where only one part is pronounced irregularly, italicized pronunciations are uncommon.General
Australia
Canada
New Zealand
Ireland
United Kingdom
This list does not include places in England, which have a separate article. Also not included are names following spelling conventions of other local languages, such as Welsh.| Subdivision | Place | IPA | Notes |
| Northern Ireland | Ahoghill | ||
| Scotland | Anstruther | Also pronounced regularly | |
| Scotland | Athelstaneford | Also pronounced regularly | |
| Scotland | Auchinleck | Also pronounced regularly | |
| Scotland | Avoch | ||
| Northern Ireland | Comber | ||
| Scotland | Culross | ||
| Northern Ireland | Cultra | ||
| Scotland | Culzean Castle | ||
| Wales | Denbigh | ||
| Scotland | Dounreay | ||
| Scotland | Findochty | ||
| Scotland | Friockheim | ||
| Scotland | Garioch | ||
| Scotland | Glamis | ||
| Scotland | Glenzier | ||
| Wales | Goodwick | ||
| Scotland | Grandtully | ||
| Scotland | Gullane | ||
| Wales | Hawarden | ||
| Scotland | Hawick | Also pronounced regularly | |
| Wales | Holyhead | ||
| Scotland | Isle of Gigha | ||
| Scotland | Jarlshof | ||
| Scotland | Kilchurn Castle | ||
| Scotland | Kilconquhar | ||
| Scotland | Kilncadzow | ||
| Scotland | Kingussie | ||
| Scotland | Kirkcaldy | ||
| Scotland | Kirkcudbright | ||
| Wales | Laugharne | ||
| Scotland | Loch Muick | ||
| Scotland | Milnagavie | ||
| Scotland | Moray | ||
| Scotland | Penicuik | ||
| Scotland | Peterculter | Usually shortened to Culter | |
| Scotland | Ravenstruther | ||
| Scotland | Ravenstruther | ||
| Scotland | River Avon | ||
| Scotland | River Teviot | ||
| Scotland | Ruthven | ||
| Bermuda | Sandys Parish | ||
| Scotland | Sanquhar | ||
| Scotland | Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow | ||
| Scotland | Scone | ||
| Scotland | Strathaven | ||
| Wales | Swansea | ||
| Scotland | Tilicoultry | ||
| Scotland | Udny Green | ||
| Scotland | Udny Station | ||
| Scotland | Wemyss Bay |
United States
Other countries
Personal names
Bold names are common; so while not intuitive, are among the most well-used. Names in italics are common are names of non-English origin common among English speakers and only irregular in English pronunciation.Given names
Specific people
| Name | IPA | Description | Note |
| Antawn Jamison | American basketball player | ||
| Chynna Phillips | American singer and actor | ||
| Dav Pilkey | /deɪv/ | American author and illustrator | |
| Dwyane Wade | American basketball player | ||
| Kiki Cuyler | American baseball player and coach | ||
| Liza Minnelli | American actor and singer | ||
| MaliVai Washington | American tennis player | ||
| Michellie Jones | Australian triathlete | ||
| Monta Ellis | American basketball player | ||
| Wynonna Judd | American country singer |
General
Family names
Specific people
| Name | IPA | Description | Notes |
| Aaron Copland | American composer | ||
| Andre Dubus | American novelist | ||
| Andrew P. Iosue | American general | ||
| Annastacia Palaszczuk | Australian politician | ||
| Benjamin Huger | , | Confederate American general | |
| Bill Nighy | British actor | ||
| Bill Veeck | American baseball executive | ||
| Brett Favre | American football player | ||
| Cara Delevigne | English model and actor | ||
| Cary Elwes | English actor | ||
| Cecelia Cichan | American plane crash victim | ||
| Clarence Mackay | American financier | ||
| Clayton Yeutter | American politician | ||
| Cliff Politte | American basketball player | ||
| Clifford Geertz | American anthropologist | ||
| Craig Chaquico | American musician | As if Portuguese Chaquiçco | |
| Dan Cortese | American actor and broadcaster | ||
| Dan Majerle | American basketball player | ||
| Dana Suesse | American composer | ||
| Daniel Ricciardo | Australian racing driver | ||
| Darrell Issa | American politician and entrepreneur | ||
| David Acer | Canadian comedian and magician | ||
| David Icke | English conspiracy writer | ||
| David Lange | 32nd prime minister of New Zealand | ||
| Don Ameche | American actor | ||
| Donald F. Glut | American writer and director | ||
| Edward Ruscha | American painter | ||
| Eli Broad | American businessperson | ||
| Elizabeth Goudge | English writer | ||
| Fiennes family | British family of actors | ||
| Geraldine McCaughrean | British children's writer | ||
| Herman Wouk | American writer | ||
| Hillary Haag | /heɪg/ | American actor and voice actor | |
| Isaiah Canaan | American basketball player | ||
| Isley Brothers | American musicians | ||
| Jackie Speier | American politician | Pronounced regularly for other holders | |
| James Anthony Froude | English historian and novelist | ||
| James Naughtie | British journalist | ||
| Jason Chaffetz | American politician | ||
| Jim Bakker | American televangelist | ||
| Jim Fuchs | American shot put athlete | ||
| John Boehner | American politician | ||
| John Boozman | American politician | ||
| John Caius | English doctor | ||
| John Donne | English poet and cleric | ||
| John Keble | English churchman and poet | ||
| John H. Kerr | American politician | ||
| Johnny Manziel | American football player | ||
| Jonathan Toews | Canadian hockey player | ||
| Junior Seau | American football player | ||
| Justin Duchsherer | American baseball player | ||
| K. C. Boutiette | American speed skater | ||
| Karch Kiraly | American volleyball player and coach | ||
| Karen Sillas | American actor | ||
| Keir Dullea | American actor | ||
| Kirk Rueter | American baseball player | ||
| Klaus Roth | British mathematician | ||
| L. David Mech | American biologist | ||
| Larry Woiwode | American writer | ||
| Laura Nyro | American musician | ||
| Lauren Tewes | American actor | ||
| Lee Godie | American painter | ||
| Lisa Rieffel | American actor and musician | ||
| Lou Piniella | American baseball player and manager | ||
| Marge Roukema | American politician | ||
| Marin Mazzie | American actress | ||
| Mary Renault | English novelist | ||
| Matt Groening | American cartoonist | ||
| Mike Doughty | /ˈdoʊti/ | American musician | Contrast from usual but equally irregular /ˈdaʊti/ |
| Patricia Wrede | American author | ||
| Patti Scialfa | American singer | ||
| Pete Reiser | American baseball player and coach | ||
| Peter Agre | American chemist | ||
| Rachel Scdoris | American musher | ||
| Randy Neugebauer | American politician | ||
| Rob Kearney | /'kɑːrni/ | Irish rugby player | |
| Robert Fulghum | American writer | ||
| Robert Faucheux | American politician | ||
| Robert Mapplethorpe | American photographer | ||
| Roger Boisjoly | American aerospace engineer | ||
| Roger B. Taney | American former Chief Justice | ||
| Ron Faucheux | American lawyer and scholar | ||
| Ronald Fedkiw | American mathematician | ||
| Samuel Pepys | English MP | ||
| Sara Bareilles | American musician | ||
| Shia LaBeouf | /lə'bʌf/ | American actor | |
| Stephen Cole Kleene | American mathematician | ||
| Terri Schiavo | Subject of Terri Schiavo case | ||
| Thomas Carew | English poet | ||
| Todd Tiahrt | American politician | ||
| Vernon Dahmer | American activist | ||
| William Butler Yeats | Irish poet and playwright | ||
| William Foege | American physician | ||
| William Froude | British naval engineer | ||
| William Hulme | English lawyer |