Source: Canva / General
Cleveland locals know certain street names instantly. Outsiders? They stumble, stutter, and guess wrong. These 15 names confuse newcomers every time.
Cleveland has plenty of unique neighborhoods, but nothing tests outsiders more than tricky street names. Locals roll them off their tongues with ease. Visitors, however, often stop and ask for help.
Some of the city’s best-known streets have names that look simple but sound nothing like they appear. Drivers get lost because they mispronounce them. Tourists laugh when locals correct them. Even longtime residents sometimes slip when they cross into unfamiliar suburbs.
You’ll find confusing names everywhere. Chagrin Boulevard leaves many scratching their heads. Warrensville Center Road isn’t as easy as it looks. Larchmere Boulevard trips up even careful readers. Outsiders often butcher Hough Avenue, St. Clair Avenue, and more.
The list doesn’t stop there. From river roads to quiet side streets, Cleveland holds dozens of tongue-twisters. We picked 15 of the most mispronounced names. Locals already know them, but visitors almost always get them wrong. Let’s see which ones you recognize.
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15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
1. Chagrin Boulevard (shuh-GRIN)
Source:General
Outsiders often stress the first syllable, but locals keep it smooth and quick.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
2. Warrensville Center Road (WAIR-ens-vil)
Source:General
Visitors stretch the “ville,” but Clevelanders clip it short and fast.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
3. Larchmere Boulevard (LARCH-meer)
Source:General
Many people say “larch-mare,” but locals keep the ending soft.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
4. Hough Avenue (HUFF)
Source:General
Most newcomers add extra sounds, but it’s just one clean syllable.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
5. St. Clair Avenue (Saint-CLAIR)
Source:General
Simple on paper, but many out-of-towners split the name awkwardly.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
6. Euclid Avenue (YOU-klid)
Source:General
Tourists misplace the stress, but locals emphasize the first syllable.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
7. Cuyahoga River Road (kai-uh-HO-guh)
Source:General
Even Ohio visitors stumble on this Native American name.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
8. Brecksville Road (BRECKS-vil)
Source:General
People try to stretch it out, but it stays sharp and quick.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
9. Shaker Boulevard (SHAY-ker)
Source:General
Many visitors oddly say “shocker,” but locals keep it simple.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
10. Mayfield Road (MAY-feeld)
Source:General
Tourists sometimes drag the second syllable, but locals say it fast.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
11. Carnegie Avenue (CAR-nee-gee)
Source:General
Visitors overthink this one, but Clevelanders stress the first syllable.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
12. Lorain Avenue (loh-RAYN)
Source:General
People often say “lor-ANN,” but the second syllable rhymes with “rain.”
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
13. Superior Avenue (soo-PEER-ee-or)
Source:General
Outsiders shorten it, but Clevelanders pronounce every syllable clearly.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
14. Medina Road (meh-DYE-nuh)
Source:General
Most newcomers say “MED-in-uh,” but locals stretch the middle syllable.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
15. Massillon Road (MASS-lin)
Source:General
Outsiders pronounce every syllable, but Clevelanders drop the middle one.
15 Cleveland Street Names Outsiders Always Mispronounce was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
