20 Ohio Towns You're Probably Pronouncing Wrong

By CityBeat Staff on Fri, Aug 27, 2021 at 3:08 pm

Ohio holds a rich history, infused with various cultures from all over the world. From France to Russia to Peru, settlers from across the globe have made an impact on the towns Ohioans live in today — specifically, their names. While the names may seem easy to pronounce, they're frequently said incorrectly. For example, the town of Wooster is actually pronounced WUSS-tur. Here's a list of a few Ohio towns and the correct way to say their names.

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Bellefontiane, behl FOWN ten

During the 1890s, the city of Bellefontiane was known to be an important terminal by the Big Four Railroad Company. Not much remains of the Logan County town’s railroad history today.
Photo: Facebook.com/DowntownBellefontaine

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Berlin, BUR lynn

Berlin is known to be the “heart of Amish Country” in Ohio. On Berlin’s main street there is a plethora of Amish shops, dining spots, and inns to stay at. There are a wide range of leisure activities such as visiting the Amish farms or shopping at the farmer’s market.
Photo: Facebook.com/BerlinOhio

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Cadiz, KA dis

Founded in 1803, Cadiz was named after the Spanish city Cádiz of Spain. The city played a role in helping slaves escape to Canada during the mid-nineteenth century through the Underground Railroad.
Photo: Plesmond, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Celina, Suh LY nah

Located in Mercer County, Celina can be found a little over 50 miles north of Dayton. The city was established in 1834, and was named after the city of Salina in New York.
Photo: Facebook.com/DowntownCelinaOhio

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Chauncey, CHANCE ee

The city of Chauncey attracted many people back in the 1900s after opening up the coal mines for work. Once known as a kingdom for the coal industry in the 1900s, the mines closed in the 1950s.
Photo: Nyttend, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Chilo, SHY lo

Once known as Mechanicsburg during the early 1800s, is known today as Chilo. The village’s name was changed in 1820. You can find this town along the Ohio River in Clermont County.
Photo: Aesopposea, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Gallipolis, Gal ih police

Also known as the “City of the Gauls,” this old French settlement was founded in the late 17th century by French immigrants and considers itself "the old French city."
Photo: Kurt Tarvis, CC BY 4.0

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Hebron, HEE brun

This village is located in Licking County, Ohio, and was founded in 1827. During its earlier time, Hebron was known for its location because it was founded on the juncture of the Ohio River, the Erie Canal, and the National Railroad.
Photo: explorelc.org

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Houston, HOUSE tuhn

Named after Harvey Houston, the town of Houston was established in 1838. Houston is located in Shelby County, in northern Loramie Township.
Photo: Nyttend, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Lancaster, Lang kuhss tur

Located near Hocking River in Fairfield County, the city’s name was shortened from New Lancaster to Lancaster in 1805. Lancaster boomed to life with commerce and real estate once the Lancaster Lateral Canal opened in 1834.
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0

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Lima, LEYE muh

The city of Lima was established in 1831 and was named after the Peruvian capital.
Photo: Nyttend, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Louisville, LOO iss vill

Nicknamed the “Constitution Town,” Louisville is located in Northern Canton. It was originally spelled Lewisville, but the founders realized there was already a Lewisville in Ohio, thus changing the spelling to Louisville.
Photo: 2old at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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Mantua, MAN a way

Located in Portage County, the village of Mantua was named after the Italian city, Mantua in 1898. There are three historic properties in the village: the Horace L. Hine House, the Mantua Station Brick Commercial District, and the William H. Crafts House.
Photo: Public Domain

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Moscow, MAHS koh

Located in Clermont County, the village of Moscow is a small and quiet town just a few miles east of Cincinnati.
Photo: Aesopposea, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Rio Grande, REYE oh GRAND

This Ohio village is nothing similar to the Rio Grande River that lies between the U.S. and Mexico — not even in pronunciation. However, it does have Hispanic ties after being named to commemorate the Mexican-American war in 1846-1848.
Photo: Vbofficial via Wikimedia Commons

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Russia, ROO she

This Ohio village holds a rich history with how it was named. French-speaking Swiss veteran migrants were some of the first settlers in the town. The residents named the village to honor a war they fought with Russia.
Photo: The Village of Russia, Ohio

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Scioto, Sigh OH tuh

Scioto County is located along the Ohio River in the southern-central region of Ohio. Its name is derived from a Native American word for deer or deer-hunting.
Photo: Scioto County, Ohio’s Facebook

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Versailles, ver SALES

Named after the city in France, Versailles is located in Darke County, and is the only village in Wayne Township. In 1819, it was originally named Jacksonville after Andrew Jackson, however, many residents were of French descent and believed it would be best if it was named Versailles. The change occurred in 1837.
Photo: Facebook.com/VillageofVersaillesOhio

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Vienna, veye EH nuh

Like most European-name-based Ohio towns, Vienna is not pronounced the same as the Austrian capital. Located in Trumbull County, this Italian food-loving, winery-boasting, family-friendly township is a hot spot for a weekend getaway.
Photo: Facebook.com/ViennaOhio

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Wooster, WUSS tur

About 50 miles south of Cleveland, the city of Wooster was named after David Wooster, an American Revolutionary War general. Looking for an outdoors-y adventure? Take a hike in Wooster Memorial Park, or visit the Secrest Arboretum.
Photo: Facebook.com/WoosterChamber

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