LIST: Most mispronounced Virginia places, according to 8News viewers

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Whether it's Staunton or Buena Vista or Powhatan, the names of Virginia places can leave both travelers and long-time residents tongue-tied. But which are the most challenging?

We asked 8News viewers to tell us which Virginia place names they hear mispronounced most often. Nearly 200 people chimed in and shared their thoughts across Facebook, Instagram and a poll held on our website.

Several viewers told us that a single mispronounced word can help them tell Virginians from tourists.

Maybe you're looking to sound more native, or maybe you're just tired of seeing eyerolls when you try to pronounce Powhite. Either way, here are a few place names that you just have to get down.

Staunton

Of all of the Virginia place names submitted by our viewers, this one came up the most. This independent city in the Shenandoah Valley is pronounced "Stan-ten," not "Stawn-ton."

Norfolk

This coastal city's name is not pronounced "folk," like the city folk who live there. Instead, it's pronounced "Nor-fuhk."

Powhite

We weren't surprised when Powhite was among the top Virginia place names suggested across our polls. Depending on who you ask, Powhite Parkway -- a Richmond area toll road -- can be pronounced three different ways.

There's "Poh-white," "Pow-white" and "Pow-hite." That third pronunciation is thought to be closest to the Indigenous origins behind the name.

Henrico

Virginia's oldest locality, Henrico County, isn't "Hen-ree-co," but "Hen-rye-co" -- and our viewers said the way someone says this word can really help them tell visitors from locals.

"Whenever NASCAR comes to Richmond, they say they are at the Richmond Raceway in 'Henreco' County," one viewer wrote.

Powhatan

Powhatan County gets its name from an Indigenous leader who led Algonquin-speaking tribes in the Tidewater region in 1607. The most common pronunciation is "Pow-ah-tan," not "Poh-wah-tan" or "Poh-hat-tan."

Gloucester

The Tidewater locality of Gloucester County can trip people up as, upon first glance, you'd think it has far more syllables than it actually does. You'd be tempted to say something like "Glou-chest-er" -- but the actual pronunciation is "Glost-er."

Parham

This lengthy Henrico County roadway is not pronounced the way it looks, like "Par-ham." Instead, it's pronounced "Pear-em," like the fruit.

Poquoson

You may want to approach pronouncing Poquoson, a Tidewater-area city, as you would "quiet" or "quick" -- but it's actually "Pah-ko-sen."

Botetourt

This western Virginia locality can also victimize non-natives, who may be tempted to pronounce it "Boat-eh-tort" or even "Boat-tort." However, the correct way to say Botetourt County is actually "Bot-a-tot."

Buena Vista

When saying this Blue Ridge Mountains-area independent city's name, disregard anything you may know about traditional Spanish pronunciation. It's not "Bway-nah Veest-ah," but "Bew-na Viss-tuh."

McGaheysville

If you thought some of the other Virginia places on this list were challenging, Rockingham County's McGaheysville arguably takes the cake. Rather than the expected "Mick-gay-ees-ville," this is actually pronounced "Muh-gak-eez-ville."

Mattaponi

The namesake of a town, river and local Indigenous tribe in King and Queen County, Mattaponi is commonly mispronounced as "Mat-ah-poh-nee," like a young horse. Its correct pronunciation is "Mat-ah-poh-nye," like the last name of a famous scientist.

Genito

Genito Road, a Central Virginia roadway, is not pronounced "Je-nee-toh," but "Jen-ih-toh."

Jahnke

Jahnke, a Richmond neighborhood and roadway, may look like it has two syllables -- but it's not "Jan-kee," it's just "Jank."

And, just for fun, here's some rapid-fire honorable mentions:

• Buchanan: "Buh-can-on"
• Bumpass: "Bump-uss"
• Roanoke: "Row-ah-noke"
• Appomattox: "Ah-puh-mah-ticks"
• Aquia: "Ah-kwai-ah"
• Fauquier: "Faw-kweer"
• Dumbfries: "Dum-freeze"
• Fries: "Freeze"
• Onancock: "Oh-NAN-kok"
• Matoaca: "Mah-toke-ah"
• Quioccasin: "Kwee-awk-ah-sin"
• Varina: "Vuh-rye-nah"

Thank you to all who participated in this 8News poll!