Learn how to pronounce the names of all 50 states in the U.S.! Listen and repeat after me. You can learn more about the origins of the 50 state names here.
For each state, I’ve included its abbreviation, and some things it is known for.
I hope you enjoy learning about the 50 states in the U.S.!
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How to pronounce ALABAMA
- Origin of the name: Named after the Alabama Native American tribe, meaning “thicket clearers” or “plant cutters”
- Alabama is known for its rich musical heritage, including being the birthplace of blues, jazz, and country music.
- Abbreviation: AL
How to pronounce ALASKA
- Alaska is famous for its stunning natural landscapes, including glaciers, mountains, and abundant wildlife such as bears and whales.
- Abbreviation: AK
How to pronounce ARIZONA
- Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon, one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders.
- Abbreviation: AZ
How to pronounce Arkansas
- Arkansas is known for its scenic beauty, including picturesque rivers, lakes, and the Ozark Mountains.
- Abbreviation: AR
How to pronounce California
- California is renowned for its diverse culture, entertainment industry, and technological innovation in Silicon Valley.
- Abbreviation: CA
How to pronounce Colorado
- Colorado is famous for its majestic Rocky Mountains, offering world-class skiing, hiking, and outdoor recreational activities.
- Abbreviation: CO
How to pronounce Connecticut
- Connecticut is noted for its rich colonial history, picturesque coastal towns, and prestigious educational institutions.
- Abbreviation: CT
How to pronounce Delaware
- Delaware is recognized as the first state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1787.
- Abbreviation: DE
How to pronounce Florida
- Florida is known for its sunny beaches, theme parks, and vibrant nightlife, attracting millions of tourists each year.
- Abbreviation: FL
How to pronounce Georgia
- Georgia is famous for its southern hospitality, historic sites, and being the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Abbreviation: GA
How to pronounce Hawaii
- Hawaii is renowned for its pristine beaches, tropical landscapes, and vibrant Polynesian culture.
- Abbreviation: HI
How to pronounce Idaho
- Idaho is known for its vast wilderness areas, including the scenic Sawtooth Mountains and pristine lakes.
- Abbreviation: ID
How to pronounce Illinois
- Illinois is home to the city of Chicago, famous for its iconic architecture, deep-dish pizza, and blues music.
- Abbreviation: IL
How to pronounce Indiana
- Indiana is recognized for its love of basketball and being the birthplace of the Indianapolis 500.
- Abbreviation: IN
How to pronounce Iowa
- Iowa is known for its picturesque landscapes, agricultural heritage, and hosting the Iowa caucuses, a significant political event.
- Abbreviation: IA
How to pronounce Kansas
- Kansas is famous for its vast prairies, being the setting for the iconic novel “The Wizard of Oz.”
- Abbreviation: KS
How to pronounce Kentucky
- Kentucky is renowned for its horse racing tradition, including the prestigious Kentucky Derby held in Louisville.
- Abbreviation: KY
How to pronounce Louisiana
- Louisiana is noted for its unique Creole and Cajun cultures, vibrant music scene, and delicious cuisine.
- Abbreviation: LA
How to pronounce Maine
- Maine is known for its stunning coastal scenery, lighthouses, and delicious lobster.
- Abbreviation: ME
How to pronounce Maryland
- Maryland is famous for its blue crabs, picturesque Chesapeake Bay, and historical significance in the founding of the United States.
- Abbreviation: MD
How to pronounce Massachusetts
- Massachusetts is renowned for its rich colonial history, including the Pilgrims’ landing at Plymouth Rock and the American Revolution.
- Abbreviation: MA
How to pronounce Michigan
- Michigan is known as the automotive capital of the world, with a strong presence of automobile manufacturing and the iconic city of Detroit.
- Abbreviation: MI
How to pronounce Minnesota
- Minnesota is famous for its numerous lakes, forests, and outdoor recreational activities, earning it the nickname “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
- Abbreviation: MN
How to pronounce Mississippi
- Mississippi is noted for its significant role in the development of blues music, with famous musicians like B.B. King hailing from the state.
- Abbreviation: MS
How to pronounce Missouri
- Missouri is recognized for the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis and its historical importance in westward expansion and the Lewis and Clark expedition.
- Abbreviation: MO
How to pronounce Montana
- Montana is known for its breathtaking landscapes, including Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park, offering unparalleled natural beauty.
- Abbreviation: MT
How to pronounce Nebraska
- Nebraska is famous for its vast agricultural lands, known as the “Cornhusker State,” and the annual College World Series held in Omaha.
- Abbreviation: NE
How to pronounce Nevada
- Nevada is renowned for its vibrant entertainment city, Las Vegas, famous for its casinos, nightlife, and extravagant shows.
- Abbreviation: NV
How to pronounce New Hampshire
- New Hampshire is noted for its scenic beauty, including the White Mountains and picturesque small towns, and hosting the first presidential primary in the U.S. every four years.
- Abbreviation: NH
How to pronounce New Jersey
- New Jersey is known for its beautiful beaches along the Jersey Shore and its proximity to major metropolitan areas like New York City and Philadelphia.
- Abbreviation: NJ
How to pronounce New Mexico
- New Mexico is famous for its rich Native American heritage, diverse landscapes, and artistic communities like Santa Fe, a hub for art and culture.
- Abbreviation: NM
How to pronounce New York
- New York is renowned for its iconic city, New York City, a global center for finance, fashion, art, and culture.
- Abbreviation: NY
How to pronounce North Carolina
- North Carolina is noted for its beautiful coastal areas known as the Outer Banks, and being the location of the Wright brothers’ historic first flight.
- Abbreviation: NC
How to pronounce North Dakota
- North Dakota is known for its expansive prairies, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and its significant role in U.S. energy production.
- Abbreviation: ND
How to pronounce Ohio
- Ohio is famous for its contributions to the automotive industry, being the birthplace of aviation pioneers, the Wright brothers, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
- Abbreviation: OH
How to pronounce Oklahoma
- Oklahoma is renowned for its Native American history and culture, including the vibrant Native American powwows and the Oklahoma City National Memorial.
- Abbreviation: OK
How to pronounce Oregon
- Oregon is noted for its stunning Pacific coastline, lush forests, and being a hub for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and fishing.
- Abbreviation: OR
How to pronounce Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania is known for its historical significance in the founding of the United States, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
- Abbreviation: PA
How to pronounce Rhode Island
- Rhode Island is famous for its beautiful coastal scenery, charming seaside towns like Newport, and being the smallest state in the U.S. by land area.
- Abbreviation: RI
How to pronounce South Carolina
- South Carolina is renowned for its picturesque southern charm, historic plantations, and beautiful beaches along the Atlantic coast.
- Abbreviation: SC
How to pronounce South Dakota
- South Dakota is noted for its iconic national monument, Mount Rushmore, and the stunning Badlands National Park.
- Abbreviation: SD
How to pronounce Tennessee
- Tennessee is known as the birthplace of country music, with a vibrant music scene in Nashville, and being home to the iconic Graceland, the former residence of Elvis Presley.
- Abbreviation: TN
How to pronounce Texas
- Texas is famous for its larger-than-life culture, including cowboy heritage, rodeos, and its sheer size, making it the second-largest state in the U.S.
- Abbreviation: TX
How to pronounce Utah
- Utah is recognized for its breathtaking landscapes, including the iconic rock formations in Arches National Park and the world-famous ski resorts in Park City.
- Abbreviation: UT
How to pronounce Vermont
- Vermont is known for its charming small towns, picturesque landscapes, and being a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly during the fall foliage season.
- Abbreviation: VT
How to pronounce Virginia
- Virginia is famous for its historical significance in the founding of the United States, including Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement, and Colonial Williamsburg.
- Abbreviation: VA
How to pronounce Washington
- Washington is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, including the Cascade Mountains, Puget Sound, and being the home of major companies like Microsoft and Amazon.
- Abbreviation: WA
How to pronounce West Virginia
- West Virginia is noted for its Appalachian Mountains, scenic landscapes, and being the birthplace of renowned labor activist Mother Jones.
- Abbreviation: WV
How to pronounce Wisconsin
- Wisconsin is known for its love of cheese and being the birthplace of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous architect.
- Abbreviation: WI
How to pronounce Wyoming
- Wyoming is famous for its majestic natural landscapes, including Yellowstone National Park and the iconic geothermal features like Old Faithful.
- Abbreviation: WY
Now you can pronounce the names of the 50 states in the U.S. correctly and confidently!