43 brand names that are surprisingly hard to say

Say what?

We see the names of brands such as Ocado, Nike, Hyundai, and Krispy Kreme every day, but people often don't pronounce them correctly. 

Read on as we reveal some of the most commonly mispronounced brand names and how to say them right.

Chevrolet

Founded in Michigan in 1911, the automobile company is often referred to as simply Chevy, leaving many unsure of how to say the full name.
How you’re probably saying it: Shev-ro-let
How you should be saying it: Shev-ro-lay

Givenchy

The French fashion house has proved a difficult one to master.
How you’re probably saying it: Give-en-chee
How you should be saying it: Zjee-von-shee

Lidl

The German discount supermarket chain has gone global with its success, but that doesn’t mean anyone knows how to say its name right. 
How you’re probably saying it: Lid-uhl
How you should be saying it: Lid-el
(Although when we spoke to the the Lidl team they told us that while "they prefer 'lid-el'" customers can say it "however you want".)

Porsche

The German automobile company is renowned for its high performance cars but even some of the lucky folk who own these swanky rides don’t know how to say it right. 
How you’re probably saying it: Poor-sh
How you should be saying it: Poor-sha

Bulgari

The luxury Italian label is famed for its glamorous gemstone jewellery and luxury watches. 
How you’re probably saying it: Buhl-gar-ee
How you should be saying it: Buhl-guh-ree

IKEA

It seems like just about everyone owns an item from Swedish furniture company IKEA, but almost no one knows how to pronounce the company’s name properly.  
How you’re probably saying it: Eye-kee-ah
How you should be saying it: Ih-kee-ah 

Balenciaga

Founded in 1919 in San Sebastian, this Spanish fashion house is the go-to label for celebrities. 
How you’re probably saying it: Bal-en-chi-aga
How you should be saying it: Bal-en-thi-aa-gah

Hublot

High-quality watches are Hublot's specialty after the company was founded in Switzerland 40 years ago. Even if you're familiar with the brand, its pronunciation might not be quite what you expect.
How you’re probably saying it: Hub-lot
How you should be saying it: Ooh-blow

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Uniqlo

The Japanese fashion brand’s name is so hard to pronounce that there are countless tutorials on the subject. 
How you’re probably saying it: You-nee-klo
How you should be saying it: Yu-ni-ku-ro

Hyundai

The South Korean car manufacturer often sees people adding in syllables, and even launched a rebranding campaign in the UK at the end of 2022 to encourage Brits to get it right. 

How you’re probably saying it: Hi-un-dye
How you should be saying it: Hyun-day 

Christian Louboutin

With its famous red soles, luxury shoe brand Christian Louboutin is coveted by women around the world, but not many know how to say its name right. 
How you’re probably saying it: Christian Loo-bow-tin
How you should be saying it: Christian Loo-boo-tan

Volkswagen

The German car manufacturer looks easy enough to pronounce, but it’s not as simple as it seems. 
How you’re probably saying it: Volks-wagon
How you should be saying it (in English): Folks-vah-gen

Sega

Growing up Sega was THE video game to play. To get this one right, you’ll need to draw on its Japanese heritage. 
How you’re probably saying it: Say-ga
How you should be saying it: See-ga

Dolce & Gabbana

Producing everything from clothing and jewellery to watches, bags, eyewear and perfume, there isn’t much the Italian designer brand can’t do – well, except for having an easier name to pronounce. 
How you’re probably saying it: Dol-say and Gab-ana
How you should be saying it: Dol-chey and Gab-ana

Nike

The popular American sports brand has been dividing people for years on how to say its name – we’ve finally got the answer for you. 
How you’re probably saying it: Nigh-k
How you should be saying it: Nigh-kee

Adobe

It seems like just about every other week your computer is telling you there’s a new version of Adobe to install. Despite its popularity, most people can’t seem to nail the American software company’s name. 
How you’re probably saying it: Ah-dohb
How you should be saying it: Ah-doh-bee

Hugo Boss

Hugo Boss designs clothes so that their customers can be "perfectly dressed in every situation and for every occasion", but can you pronounce this German brand name perfectly?
How you’re probably saying it: Hew-go Boss
How you should be saying it: Hoo-go Boss

Renault

To get the French car manufacturer’s name right, you just need to give a little less. 
How you’re probably saying it: Ren-olt
How you should be saying it: Ren-oh

L'Occitane

This international natural cosmetics brand started off in Provence in France selling rosemary essential oil and has since gone global. 
How you’re probably saying it: Lock-ee-tan
How you should be saying it: Lock-see-tahn

Godiva

Home of the mouthwateringly good Belgian chocolates, once you get this one right you won’t want to stop saying it. 
How you’re probably saying it: God-eye-va
How you should be saying it: Guh-die-va

Hermès

When it comes to this super-luxe French brand, it’s important to remember the H is silent. 
How you’re probably saying it: Her-mees
How you should be saying it: Er-mez

Lancôme

Upmarket make-up fans will likely be familiar with this French beauty brand, but can you pronounce it?
How you’re probably saying it: Lan-com
How you should be saying it: Lon-com

Adidas

Just like Nike, this one has divided everyone from families and friends to coworkers. Drum roll please, it turns out the way you pronounce the German sports company is…
How you’re probably saying it: Ad-e-das
How you should be saying it: Ah-dee-dass

Ferrero Rocher

The delicious chocolate, famed for its gold wrapping, is produced by the same Italian company as Nutella.  
How you’re probably saying it: Fer-rare-ra Row-sher
How you should be saying it: Fur-rare-row Row-shey

Hervé Leger

At one point it seemed like every A-lister on the red carpet was wearing an Hervé Leger bandage dress, but when reporters asked who they were wearing even the most experienced stars struggled. 
How you’re probably saying it: Her-vee Lee-ger
How you should be saying it: Air-vay Lay-jah

Del Monte

Next time you’re tucking into tinned sweetcorn, don’t forget the extra syllable at the end of Del Monte.
How you’re probably saying it: Del-mont
How you should be saying it: Del-mont-ay

Ralph Lauren

It might be subtle, but have you been pronouncing this American fashion label wrong? 
How you’re probably saying it: Ralph Lo-ren
How you should be saying it: Ralph Laur-en

Amazon

Just about everyone has bought something from the American online retailer, but a lot are also guilty of mispronouncing its name. 
How you’re probably saying it: Ama-zohn
How you should be saying it: Ama-zun

Louis Vuitton

The French fashion house is coveted for its LV logo that appears on everything from clothing and luggage to bags and shoes. 
How you’re probably saying it: Loo-is Voo-ton
How you should be saying it: Loo-wee Vweet-han

Lamborghini

Owned by the Volkswagen Group, Lamborghini is known for its luxury sports cars. 
How you’re probably saying it: Lam-bor-gini
How you should be saying it: Lam-bor-gee-nee

Miele

You might have one of this company’s washing machines, or fridges, sitting in your house, but do you know how to say the German appliance company’s name correctly? 
How you’re probably saying it: Mee-lay
How you should be saying it: Mee-luh

Versace

Despite its fame, the Italian fashion label's name still trips people up. 
How you’re probably saying it: Ver-sach-say
How you should be saying it: Vur-sah-chee

Alfa Romeo

Premium car manufacturer Alfa Romeo comes from Italy, but its pronunciation shouldn't be confused with a certain Shakespeare couple from fair Verona...
How you’re probably saying it: Alfa Roh-meo
How you should be saying it: Alfa Roh-may-oh

Tag Heuer

The Swiss watch company produces the perfect arm candy for the rich and famous. 
How you’re probably saying it: Tag Hew-air
How you should be saying it: Tag Hoy-er

Yves Saint Laurent

While most people get the start of the French label’s name right, it’s the last part that trips most up.
How you’re probably saying it: Eves Sahnt Loor-ant
How you should be saying it: Eve San Lau-ron

Dr. Oetker

Baking extraordinaires and pizza lovers alike will be familiar with Dr. Oetker products, but the German pronunciation might be throwing you off. 
How you’re probably saying it: Dr. Oat-ker
How you should be saying it: Dr. Ert-ker

Evian

Touted as one of the fancier brands of mineral water, the drink comes from several sources near Évian-les-Bains, on the south shore of Lake Geneva. 
How you’re probably saying it: Ev-vee-arn
How you should be saying it: Eh-vee-on

Krispy Kreme

The doughnut company and coffee chain has come a long way since the 1930s when Krispy Kreme founder Vernon Rudolph started selling his doughnuts to local grocers. There are now over 1,000 stores worldwide.
How you’re probably saying it: Crisp-ee Crem
How you should be saying it: Crisp-ee creem

Tissot

A Swiss watchmaker known for its high quality is Tissot, but remember the last letter is silent. 
How you’re probably saying it: Tiss-ot
How you should be saying it: Tea-sow

Cartier

Founded in Paris over 150 years ago, Cartier is a brand globally known for its luxury products and service. Trying to pronounce its name with an English accent might catch you out though. 
How you’re probably saying it: Car-tee-air
How you should be saying it: Cat-ee-air

Huawei

The Chinese tech firm has been all over the news lately yet its hard-to-pronounce name has attracted almost as much attention as the accusations against it.
How you’re probably saying it: Hu-are-wei
How you should be saying it: Wah-way

Nutella

The delicious chocolate spread might be a breakfast staple, but its Italian heritage has people mispronouncing its name. 
How you’re probably saying it: Nut-ell-ah
How you should be saying it: Noo-tell-ah

Ocado

This online supermarket is a big hit in the UK with nearly 800,000 customers, but are the Brits pronouncing the name properly?
How you’re probably saying it: Oh-car-doh
How you should be saying it: Uh-car-doh

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