![16 Minnesota Town Names Nearly Impossible For Out-Of-Staters To Pronounce](http://townsquare.media/site/715/files/2020/08/street-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
16 Minnesota Town Names Nearly Impossible For Out-Of-Staters To Pronounce
Minnesota is home to some really rich history and some rather confusing town names that only Minnesotan residents know how to pronounce.
![KROC-AM logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/KROCAM.png?w=100)
This land was home to numerous Native American tribes before it was colonized, and many of these unique town names are derived from their languages. On top of that, there is a very heavy Scandinavian presence in the state, which of course, contributes to some of the harder-to-pronounce town names.
Even some Minnesotans still struggle pronouncing these Minnesotan towns correctly!
16 Near Impossible Minnesota Towns To Pronounce
1. Aitkin
Common Mispronounce: Ate-kin.
Actual Pronunciation: Aye-kin.
2. Bemidji
Common Mispronunciation: Bee-midge-ee.
Actual Pronunciation: Buh-midge-ee.
3. Chokio
Common Mispronounce: Show-key-oh.
Actual Pronunciation: Sha-kie-oh.
4. Cosmos
Common Mispronounce: Cos-mos.
Actual Pronunciation: Cos-mus.
5. Edina
Common Mispronunciation: Ed-in-uh.
Actual Pronunciation: Ee-dine-uh.
6. Ely
Common Mispronounce: Ee-lie.
Actual Pronunciation: Ee- lee.
7. Faribault
Common Mispronounce: Fair-uh-balt or Fair-balt.
Actual Pronunciation: Fair-boe.
8. Gaylord
Common Mispronunciation: Gay-lord.
Actual Pronunciation: Gail-erd.
9. Isanti
Common Mispronounce: Ee-san-tee.
Actual Pronunciation: Eye-San-tee.
10. Lutsen
Common Mispronounce: Lut-sen.
Actual Pronunciation: Loot-son.
11. Mahtomedi
Common Mispronounce: Mat-toe-me-die.
Actual Pronunciation: Mah-doe-me-die.
12. New Prague
Common Mispronounce: New Prog.
Actual Pronunciation: New Prag.
13. Osseo
Common Mispronunciation: Oh-see-oh.
Actual Pronunciation: Ah-see-oh.
14. Shakopee
Common Mispronounce: Sha-kope-ee.
Actual Pronunciation: Shock-ah-pee.
15. Wayzata
Common Mispronunciation: Way-zat-uh.
Actual Pronunciation: Why-zet-uh.
16. Winona
Common Mispronounce: Why-nona.
Actual Pronunciation: Wuh-nona.
If you're looking for a quick laugh, check out this video of Californians trying to guess the pronunciation of these challenging Minnesotan towns.
These towns may not provide us with any difficulties, but I am sure these volunteers disagree.
10 Most Expensive Places To Live In Minnesota
More From KROC-AM
![6 Dog-Friendly Events in Minnesota That Will Make Tails Wag](http://townsquare.media/site/719/files/2024/07/attachment-RS14848_178712512.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![There Are Now Only 5 Drive-In Theaters Left in Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/730/files/2024/05/attachment-RS10754_146837667-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Did You Know There Are 6 Fire Towers You Can Climb In Minnesota?](http://townsquare.media/site/150/files/2024/07/attachment-fire-tower-featuredc.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ten-Digit Dialing Starts on Tuesday Across Southern Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/730/files/2024/07/attachment-bruce-mars-FWVMhUa_wbY-unsplash1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![This Airline Is Now Leaving Minnesota For Good](http://townsquare.media/site/719/files/2024/07/attachment-Airline-Leaving-MN2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Deadly Listeria Outbreak Prompts Major Nationwide Recall of Popular Deli Meats](http://townsquare.media/site/1172/files/2024/07/attachment-Deli-Meat-Recall.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Discovery of Thousands of Fentanyl Pills in Minnesota Hotel Room Leads to Federal Guilty Plea](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Bicyclist Suffers Severe Injuries in Crash With SUV at Hwy. 61 Intersection](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![McDonald’s Is Now Extending Popular Menu Item in Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/719/files/2024/07/attachment-McDonalds-Extended-MN.jpg?w=980&q=75)