30 celebrity names you might be mispronouncing

Kim RenfroJun 18, 2020, 01:31 IST

Ariana Grande, Dacre Montgomery, and Charlize Theron have had to correct people on pronouncing their name.Getty Images

Many famous people have names which are notoriously mispronounced by fans.
For example, J.K. Rowling's last name rhymes with "bowling." It's not pronounced "r-OW-ling."
Ariana Grande also said her family name is technically said "GRAN-dee."
Keep reading to see which other stars have had to correct their names for the public record.

Celebrities aren't immune to mispronounced names, even if most of us have heard them correctly at one point or another. Some names might be more difficult because of the accent on the letters, while others have some silent letters that could throw you off.

Keep reading for a helpful guide to saying those celebrity names right.

Anjelica Oswald contributed to a previous version of this article.

A recent GQ profile of Hollywood icon Steve Buscemi recently revealed a common mistake people make with his name.

Steve Buscemi in 2013. AP

You shouldn't add an "h" sound in Buscemi. It's just "BOO-SEM-EE."

People have been saying his name wrong for decades now. Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Webby Awards

Ariana Grande grew up saying her last name differently.

Ariana Grande performs onstage during the 2018 iHeartRadio show. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Instead of "Grawn-DAY," they said "Gran-DEE."

Ariana Grande backstage at the 2018 iHeartRadio Wango Tango. Jesse Grant/Getty Images

"Stranger Things" star Dacre Montgomery is the show's only Australian cast member.

Dacre Montgomery at the red carpet premiere of "Stranger Things 3." Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

His name is pronounced just like the unit of measurement "acre," but with a "D" at the front.

Billy, played by Dacre Montgomery, on Netflix's "Stranger Things 3." Netflix

JK Rowling never seems to take a break from writing and helping with film adaptations of her best-selling books.

JK Rowling stays busy. Rob Stothard/Getty

Her name isn't "r-OW-ling," it's pronounced "ROLL-ing." But she answers to both, since many people in the US still put emphasis on the "ow."

JK Rowling at the BRIT Awards. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Gal Gadot is Wonder Woman.

She is fierce. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

But when you say her name, make sure to pronounce the "t," like "Guh-DOT."

She was in "Justice League," too. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Rihanna is a music goddess, but many still say her name wrong.

She is an icon. Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

While many of us might say "Ri-YAWN-a," she says it's "Ri-ANNA."

She performed at the 2018 Grammy Awards. Christopher Polk/Getty

Ralph Fiennes is known for his role as the "Harry Potter" villain Voldemort, but his real name is a bit tricky.

His name is not what you think. Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

It's pronounced like "RAY-ph Fines."

He voiced Alfred in "The LEGO Batman" movie. John Phillips/Getty Images

Thandie Newton is the breakout star of HBO's "Westworld."

"Westworld" will be back with a third season in 2020. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

The "Th" is actually a hard "t" sound in her first name, so you should say, "TAN-dee."

She was nominated for an Emmy. Rich Polk/Getty Images

Matt Czuchry is known for his role as Logan on "Gilmore Girls."

He now stars on "The Resident." Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

The "c" is silent, so it's pronounced "ZOO-krie."

He went to the 2018 TCAs. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Zendaya is making waves in Hollywood.

She started on Disney Channel. Dave Mangels/Getty Images

Her name is pronounced "Zen-DAY-uh," not "Zen-DIE-uh."

She wore a dress that looked like a butterfly. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Josh Duhamel is well-known for his role in the "Transformers" movies.

He was in "The Last Knight" transformers movie. Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Ignore the "a" when saying "DOO-mel."

Josh Duhamel at the 2018 NBC Universal Winter Press Tour. Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Charlize Theron killed it in "Atomic Blonde."

Charlize Theron is a skilled performer. Chris Jackson/ Getty Images

So when you say her name, make sure you say it the right way: "Their-IN," not "Their-own."

She was also in "The Fate of the Furious." Getty Images

Chiwetel Ejiofor fought alongside Doctor Strange in the superhero movie about the titular character.

Ejiofor's breakout role in the US was the 2013 movie "12 Years a Slave." Getty Images

His name is pronounced "CHEW-eh-tel Eh-gee-oh-for."

He understands that people get his name wrong. Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

Marion Cotillard is well-known for "Inception."

She was also in "Assassin's Creed." Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

The l's in the French actress's name are silent. You say it "Mary-ON Coat-EE-ard."

Marion Cotillard at the Chanel Haute Couture Spring Summer 2018 show. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Mahershala Ali has proven his skills in projects including "House of Cards," "Luke Cage," "Moonlight," and "Hidden Figures."

He deserves every award. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

His full name is Mahershalalhashbaz, but his shortened name is pronounced "Ma-HER-shuh-luh."

Ali will star in a new "Blade" remake coming soon. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Saoirse Ronan earned her third Oscar nomination for her lead role in "Lady Bird."

Ronan is 25 years old and already an accomplished actor. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Ignore the vowels and say "SUR-sha," like inertia.

She is one of the youngest Oscar nominees. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Alden Ehrenreich is the young Han Solo in the "Solo" movie.

He has big shoes to fill. Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images for Walt Disney Studios

His last name is "AARON-rike."

He's still relatively unknown. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Cara Delevingne was in 2017's "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets."

She was also in "Suicide Squad." Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

Here's how you say it: "CAR-uh Dell-uh-VEEN."

She changes her hair often. Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images

Quvenzhané Wallis was five when she auditioned for "Beasts of the Southern Wild."

She also voiced a character in "Trolls." Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

This is how you say her name: "Qwuh-ven-JUH-neigh."

Wallis in 2017. Leon Bennett/Getty Image

Milo Ventimiglia is known for his roles in "Heroes," "Gilmore Girls," and currently, "This Is Us."

His character on "This Is Us" breaks hearts. Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for GLSEN

Don't say the "g" in his name. It's "Vent-ih-ME-lee-uh."

He looks different without a mustache. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Domhnall Gleeson has starred in quite a number of hit movies, including the "Harry Potter" franchise, "Ex Machina," and "Brooklyn."

He returned for "The Last Jedi." John Phillips/Getty Images

His first name is pronounced "DOUGH-null," like tonal.

Gleeson also costarred in the romantic movie "About Time." Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Daniel Kaluuya earned an Oscar nomination for "Get Out."

He is dapper in his suit. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Say his last name like "Kuh-LOO-yuh."

Kaluuya at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Tiffany Haddish was hilarious in "Girls Trip."

She was critically praised for her comedic genius. Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

Her last name is pronounced "HAD-ish," like radish.

Put Tiffany Haddish in everything. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Between "Lady Bird" and "Call Me by Your Name," Timothée Chalamet has been everywhere recently, but we've been saying his name wrong.

He is nominated for an Oscar. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

In an interview with Frank Ocean, he said his name is actually pronounced "Timo-TAY" not "Timo-TEE." Also, his last name is "Sha-luh-MAY."

Actor Timothee Chalamet attends Museum of the Moving Image Salute to Annette Bening in December. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Steven Yeun played Glenn on "The Walking Dead."

Steven Yeun attends the premiere of "Crazy Rich Asians." Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

His last name is pronounced "YUN," like sun.

Steven Yeun at the Sundance Institute. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Noah Centineo is everywhere thanks to "To All the Boys I've Loved Before."

Noah as Peter Kavinsky. Netflix

His name is pronounced "Cen-tin-A-oh," not "Cen-ten-KNEE-o."

Noah Centineo attends a screening of Netflix's "To All The Boys I've Loved Before." Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Demi Moore has been acting since the 80s.

Demi Moore during the Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis in Los Angeles, California. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Her name is pronounced "Deh-MEE," not like Demi ("DEM-ee") Lovato says hers.

Demi Moore attends Visionary Women Honors Demi Moore in Celebration of International Women's Day. Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Anna Faris is known for her comedic roles.

Anna Faris attends the premiere of "Overboard." David Livingston/Getty Images

Her first name is pronounced "AWE-nuh," like Donna.

Anna Faris attends The Paley Center for Media's 35th Annual PaleyFest. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Chrissy Teigen recently let fans know that people have been saying her name wrong.

Chrissy Teigen attends the GOOD + Foundation 'An Evening of Comedy + Music' Benefit at Carnegie Hall. Manny Carabel/Getty Images

Her name isn't pronounced "TEE-gen," it's "TIE-gen."

Chrissy Teigen poses in the press room during the 2018 Creative Arts Emmys. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Comedian Hasan Minhaj says people get his name wrong all the time.

Hasan Minhaj hosts the weekly show "Patriot Act" on Netflix. Cara Howe/Netflix

His name is pronounced like "Hassen Min-haj," without the extra emphasis on "Hah-sahn" or "Min-AH-j" the way most people mistakenly say it.

Minhaj's weekly show on Netflix is one of its best new series. Netflix

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