Adele, Björk, Sigur Rós: How to pronounce these 18 names correctly

There are a number of prominent names that are mistakenly mispronounced. Basically no problem – until you realize in conversation with other true fans or neurotic know-it-alls that you walked around completely self-confidently and always didn’t pronounce your favorite artist correctly; or even sparked a discussion about it.

Don’t be fooled – here is the list of correct pronunciations

Don’t let Dr. prank google. He is usually not always sure himself and provides obscure suggestions and blog discussions instead of the correct pronunciation. Therefore, we have compiled an alphabetical list of numerous common names from film and music with special pronunciations. And how to pronounce them correctly.

Adele

The singer clarified in a question and answer session that you should actually say “Ahhh-dél”. With a slight emphasis on the second syllable. Not “Ä-dell”.

Amanda Seyfried

When asked how stupidly her name was already pronounced and how to say it correctly, the actress gave a clear answer: “Amända Seifred”.

Bjork

They say: “B-yörrrk”.

Cara Delevingne

Not easy either. Her name is pronounced “Kära Delewien”.

Dave Gahan

Currently on everyone’s lips again: Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan. MUSIKEXPRESS dedicated an entire article to his name. And here is the video about it:

Haim

The band says their name is pronounced “hahy-uhm,” two syllables.

Haiyti

Simply “Haitian”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvjJY9qoxqM

Hozier

One says: “Hose-ee-er”.

Joaquin Phoenix

No “Joa” or anything like that. But: “Wah Kin Fienix”.

Josh Homme

Easily explained: The frontman of the US group Queens of the Stone Age has no ancestors in France. His last name looks like the French word for “man”, i.e. “homme”. But his roots are in Norway. So his name is not pronounced in French, but with an i-sound at the end and a loud H at the beginning: “Josh Hommie”.

Macklemore

Shouldn’t be happening by now. But if it does: It’s called “Mack-l-mor”, not “Mack-el-more”.

Motley Crue

In case a discussion breaks out: the pronunciation of Mötley Crüe is not “Motley Kruh”, but “Motly Kruh”.

Rae Sremmurd

Difficult to read, even more difficult to pronounce. The correct name of the duo is: Ray “Schrimmörd”.

rihanna

Not even her ex-boyfriend pronounces the singer’s name correctly: “Ri-änna”, not “Ri-Hannah”.

sorry

A Nigerian name. It’s best to say “sha-day.”

Saoirse Ronan

Shouldn’t it happen more often that you don’t say the name correctly? To be sure: It is “Ssirscha Rohnan”.

Sigur Ros

Those Icelandic names! In any case, the band is pronounced “si-ur rose”.

Zach Galifianakis

Greek names are not easier. So here to be on the safe side: “Sähk Gelif enakiss”.

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