11 Connecticut Town Names That’ll Make Your GPS Have an Existential Crisis

From ‘BUR-lin’ to ‘GRAH-tn’

Connecticut might be small, but it’s packing some serious tongue-twisters in its town names.

When in doubt, mumble confidently and change the subject to UConn basketball or order a clam chowder. Works every time, especially with these eleven.

Berlin, Connecticut

In Connecticut, you don’t say this like “ber-LIN,” but as “BUR-lin” with a hearty New England twist. Way easier than its original name: Pagonchawnischage as it was called by the Mattabassat Indians.

This town is home to the New Britain Museum of American Art, where you can practice your fancy pronunciation while pretending to understand abstract expressionism.

Greenwich, Connecticut

It’s not “Green-witch,” and it’s definitely not “Green-wick.” Locals say “GREN-itch,” like everyone’s pretending there’s no second syllable there.

The name means “green village” in Old English, but don’t let the pastoral vibe fool you. This is one of the wealthiest communities in the U.S. and home to hedge funds, financial moguls, and the annual Greenwich International Film Festival.

Groton, Connecticut

Welcome to “GRAH-tn,” where the “T” is as silent as a submarine on a stealth mission.

Named after Groton, Suffolk in England, this town is the proud home of the U.S. Navy Submarine Base and General Dynamics Electric Boat, where the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, was built. The Mohegan Tribe originally called the area “Nameag,” meaning “fishing place.”

Whether you’re here for naval history or just to butcher the name, Groton is a must-visit in CT.

Thames River, Connecticut

Hold onto your tea and crumpets, because this isn’t the London Thames. In Connecticut, it’s pronounced with a long “A,” so it rhymes with “games” not “hems.”

But the Thames isn’t just a river with an identity crisis. This 15-mile river, formed by the Yantic and Shetucket Rivers, flows into Long Island Sound and has been a vital part of Connecticut’s maritime history since the 17th century.

Wolcott, Connecticut

If you’re thinking “WALL-cot,” nuh-uh. It’s actually pronounced “WOOL-kit,” like you’re describing a very fuzzy knitting set.

Wolcott offers a nice slice of small-town Americana with a quaint downtown area, local shops, and cafes. It’s the perfect place to experience that famous New England hospitality.

Naugatuck, Connecticut

It’s “NAW-guh-tuck,” and it’s an Algonquian-derived name that means “one tree.” Incorporated in 1844, Naugatuck became a hub for rubber manufacturing in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

It’s home to the scenic Naugatuck State Forest, where you can hike, bird-watch, and practice saying the town’s name without anyone in hearing distance.

Quinebaug, Connecticut

This one’s easy if you pretend like you’re introducing your friend Quinn to a swamp. It’s pronounced “KWIN-uh-bog.” The name comes from a Nipmuc word meaning “long pond,” and the area was once home to the Nipmuc people.

This northeastern Connecticut village is also part of the “Quiet Corner,” which we think is where they send tourists who say “KIN-uh-bawg.”

Pawcatuck, Connecticut

Hold onto your whiskers, because “PAW-kuh-tuck” is not, in fact, a feline-themed ice sport. This Stonington village sits pretty along the Pawcatuck River, serving as a natural boundary between Connecticut and Rhode Island.

It’s like the Switzerland of New England, but with more colonial history and fewer Alps. So when you’re in Pawcatuck, remember: you’re not just butchering a name, you’re straddling state lines and centuries of history.

Wauregan, Connecticut

It’s either “WOR-ee-gan” or “War-REE-gun,” but never “WAR-uh-gan.” And it might sound like a battle cry, but it actually means “good fishing place” in Mohegan.

This village in Plainfield was built around a textile mill in the mid-19th century, and its historic district is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Norfolk, Connecticut

However you’re pronouncing it in your head right now, you’re probably wrong. Locals pronounce it “NOR-fick,” like you’re describing a very specific type of Nordic fish.

Known as the “Icebox of Connecticut” due to its cool climate, Norfolk is a cultural hotspot that punches well above its weight. It’s home to the Yale Summer School of Music—Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, which brings world-class musicians to town each summer.

The town also boasts over 50 buildings designed by noted architect Alfredo S.G. Taylor, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Southington, Connecticut

For this one, you need to drop the “th” faster than a hot potato, making it “SUH-ing-ton.” Just totally ignore the “th,” it’s used to it anyway.

This town has been hosting its famous Apple Harvest Festival since 1969, drawing crowds for six days of apple-themed madness spread over two weekends.