Only Longtime Locals Can Pronounce These 12 Words in Alaska

The great state of Alaska is influenced by people from all over the globe, and that means many hard-to-pronounce words. The history of the state reveals it as a melting pot, or perhaps a frozen lake, of those who crave wide open spaces without the constant presence of other people. Those who find the Arctic and the wild spaces irresistible despite the cold have settled down and put their mark on the linguistic map. Alaska also has a diverse history of indigenous cultures that thrive throughout the state today, including Iñupiat, Yupik, Aleut, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and numerous Northern Athabascan cultures. Names of places come from all of them, as well as the Russian language, as Russia owned Alaska before it was a U.S. Territory.

With this rich history, place names are crazy combinations of Alaska Native languages, tributes to Russian diplomats, and the names of prospectors and dance hall girls from all over the world. All this makes for a beautiful array of sounds that combine to form the language of Alaska. However, most of the words are pretty hard to pronounce. Newcomers will be spotted a mile away as soon as one of these words clunks off the tongue. If you know how to pronounce them all, you probably have been in Alaska for far too long.

1. Kotzebue (KOTZ-uh-byoo): The Arctic Town Everyone Mispronounces

The name of a town and the gorgeous Kotzebue Sound in northwestern Alaska. This coastal town is a central hub of the Arctic. Kotzebue serves as a major transportation, cultural, and economic hub for
surrounding Arctic communities, with access primarily by air or seasonal sea routes.

2. Kake (Cake): Alaska’s Easiest Name That Still Trips People Up

This deceptively simple name is not complicated; it just sounds like the dessert. It is a beautiful seaside spot in southeastern Alaska and a secluded island where the traditional lifestyle is still popular. Kake is a predominantly Tlingit community known for its strong cultural traditions, its fishing-based economy, and its scenic coastal surroundings.

3. Utqiagvik (UUT-kee-AH-vik): Alaska’s Northernmost City with a Tricky Name

On December 1, 2016, a city referendum went into effect, renaming Alaska's northernmost city from Barrow to the City of Utqiaġvik. The return was to the traditional Iñupiaq name, Utqiaġvik, which means "place where the snowy owls are hunted".

4. Talkeetna (Tal-KEET-na): A Small Town Name You’re Probably Saying Wrong

This central Alaskan town is lively and popular with travelers and Alaskans alike. A hot spot for mountaineers, as this town is used as the base camp for Mount Denali. Talkeetna is also known for its historic main street, flightseeing tours, and easy access to Denali State Park.

5. Chiniak (CHIN-nee-ak): A Coastal Name That Defies First Guesses

A tiny and gorgeous village tucked into the coast of Kodiak Island in southern Alaska, with a population of around 50. Chiniak is a quiet coastal village on Kodiak Island, valued for its dramatic scenery, fishing traditions, and close-knit community.

6. Iditarod (Eye-DI-ta-rahd): The Famous Race Name Few Say Correctly

The name of a 1000-mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome that happens every year in March. The race retraces the steps of a heroic journey whereby a series of mushers relayed a life-saving antitoxin serum across Alaska's wilderness. The people of Nome were saved from the diphtheria epidemic spreading through the community. The race is a celebration every year, from Anchorage at the start to Nome at the finish line.

7. Unalakleet (YOU-na-la-kleet): A Tongue-Twister from Western Alaska

A coastal village on the western coast of Alaska, below the Seward Peninsula, right on the Bering Sea. The village is known for its abundant annual king crab harvests. Unalakleet also plays a key role in subsistence fishing and serves as a cultural center for Yupik and Iñupiaq traditions.

8. Nuchalawoyya (Noo-cha-la-WOI-ya): One of Alaska’s Hardest Place Names

Nuchalawoyya means "where two rivers meet" and refers to a biennial gathering in the interior village of Tanana that brings together Alaska Native communities from around the Interior. It is held in the village at the confluence of the Yukon and Tanana rivers.

9. Nenana (Nee-NAA-nah): A Short Name with a Local-Only Pronunciation

Both a river in the interior and a village that lies along the banks, an hour south of Fairbanks. It's just like "banana" with 'nee' instead of 'buh' at the beginning. Nenana is also known for the annual Nenana Ice Classic, a long-running springtime tradition tied to river breakup.

10. Ninilchik (Ni-NIL-chik): Russian Roots and a Tricky Alaska Twist

This Russian name refers to a town on the Kenai Peninsula with a population of approximately 800. The area still bears the history of Alaska's Russian past, and the language is present but not widely spoken daily, as is the Russian Orthodox religion.

11. Cheechako (Chee-CHA-ko): An Old Alaska Slang Term

A term used for newcomers to Alaska or the Yukon, which was popularized during the Gold Rush. Once a greenhorn arrives in Alaska, they must spend some time in the Arctic before they are considered a true part of the community. Some say it takes one winter, some say two, but after you have lived in the cold for long enough, the sourdoughs will stop calling you a cheechako and maybe trust you a little bit.

12. Tanana (TAA-nah-nah): Simple Spelling, Sneaky Pronunciation

Tanana is the name of both a river and a region that remains an important cultural and historical center in the Interior. The area is traditionally Koykukon Athabascan and is the traditional site of the Nuchalawoyya celebration.

Want to know more about Alaska? Or, do you know of any Alaskan names in your area that are hard to pronounce? Tell us about it via this nomination page. Here is an interesting read about the 17 Incredible Natural Wonders In Alaska That Defy Explanation.

And are you curious to see these places in person? You can plan a custom Alaska adventure using our itinerary planner to map out stops, nearby attractions, and travel distances. Finally, don't forget to check out this read about the 7 Tiny Towns in Alaska That Come Alive in the Summertime.