New Mexico is known for its stunning landscapes, rich Native American and Spanish heritage, and unique blend of cultures. But one thing that often throws outsiders for a loop? The place names. Whether it’s towns with Native roots or Spanish-influenced spellings, the pronunciation game in New Mexico is not for beginners.
So, if you’re new to the Land of Enchantment, we dare you to try saying these 11 place names correctly on your first try. Spoiler alert: even some locals still struggle with a few of them.
1. Tesuque
Pronounced: Teh-SOO-key
This small village near Santa Fe looks simple but isn’t pronounced how it appears. Definitely not “Tess-ook” like many say the first time.
2. Jemez
Pronounced: HAY-mez
New Mexico 101: J’s are pronounced like H’s in Spanish. It’s not “Jem-ez.” This one gets almost everyone.
3. Socorro
Pronounced: Suh-KOR-oh
It means “help” or “relief” in Spanish. Don’t make the mistake of calling it “So-core-roh”—locals will notice.
4. Tijeras
Pronounced: Tih-HAIR-us
Literally means “scissors” in Spanish, but no, it’s not “Tie-juh-ras” or “Tee-jer-us.” That “j” will trip you up every time.
5. La Cienega
Pronounced: La See-EH-neh-gah
Sounds lovely, right? But if you pronounce it “La See-en-EE-ga,” you’re gonna out yourself as a tourist real quick.
6. Pojoaque
Pronounced: Poh-WAH-kee
It’s a Native American pueblo near Santa Fe. The spelling tricks everyone the first time, and yes, it’s almost impossible to guess right.
7. Las Cruces
Pronounced: Loss CROO-ses
You might be tempted to say “Loss Crusses,” but don’t. It means “The Crosses” in Spanish and deserves to be said with care.
8. Chama
Pronounced: CHAH-mah
This northern mountain town is peaceful and beautiful, but people often say “Shama” or “Kama.” Nope—it’s “Chah-mah.”
9. Isleta
Pronounced: Ees-LEH-tah
A Native American pueblo and area south of Albuquerque. Not “Iz-LET-a” or “Is-LEE-tuh.”
10. Alcalde
Pronounced: Al-KALL-day
Spanish for “mayor,” but its local pronunciation is specific. Many folks wrongly go with “Al-kald” or “Al-kade.”
11. Nambé
Pronounced: NAHM-bay
It looks fancy, and it is—it’s both a Pueblo and a high-end cookware brand named after it. But no, it’s not “Nam-buh” or “Name-bay.”
New Mexico is filled with beauty, culture, and very tricky place names. Whether they come from Spanish, Tewa, Tiwa, or Navajo roots, these names reflect the deep history of the region.
But they also challenge even the most confident English speakers. If you’ve struggled to say these correctly—don’t worry, you’re not alone. It takes time, a bit of humility, and maybe even a friendly local to help you out. Just don’t say “Pojoa-kay”—you’ll never live it down.
SOURCES
- (https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/new-mexico/hard-words-nm)
- (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWAeQ2IZjmc)
- (https://klaq.com/most-mispronounced-cities-nm/)
