Most Mispronounced Brand Names Revealed: Are You Saying Them Wrong?
From Peugeot to Marlboro, brands worldwide are facing a common challenge – getting people to pronounce their names correctly. A recent study by Business Financing analyzed data from an online pronunciation dictionary, Forvo, to determine the most mispronounced brands globally.
Topping the list as the world’s least pronounceable brand is French company Société Générale, with a staggering 2.1 million listens. Following closely behind are Peugeot, Porsche, and Tommy Hilfiger. French brands dominate the list, with four out of the top 10 least pronounceable brands hailing from France.
In the UK, Burberry takes the title for the least pronounceable brand among English speakers, with 141,000 listens. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Ikea, despite its global popularity, is often mispronounced as ‘Eye-key-ah’ instead of the correct ‘Ee-kay-uh’.
Alcohol brands prove to be particularly challenging, with Germany’s BMW and Jagermeister being among the most mispronounced. In the US, Tommy Hilfiger is a commonly mispronounced brand, with the founder even considering a name change to simplify things for customers.
In Asia, Hitachi and Samsung are among the top mispronounced brands, with their Japanese and Korean origins adding to the confusion. Food and drink brands like Budweiser, Chivas Regal, and various French fashion brands also make the list of least pronounceable names.
As global brands continue to expand their reach, ensuring the correct pronunciation of their names becomes increasingly important. So, next time you say a brand name, make sure you’re getting it right!