Welcome to Austin. We stay proud, loud, and yes, a little weird (thanks, Leslie!). Getting our pronunciation right shows you belong, so here’s how locals say the streets and towns newcomers trip over, from Burnet to Pedernales.
🎧 Why Pronunciation Matters Here
A name isn’t just a name. It’s history, heritage, identity. Our city and its surroundings are shaped by Spanish, German, and Native American roots. Mispronounce a place? You might stick out. Get it right? You suddenly feel at home.
🎯 Pronunciation Chart: Streets, Towns & More
| Place | How locals say it |
|---|---|
| Bexar County | Bear Sounds like the animal |
| Boerne | BURN-ee Named for German writer Ludwig Boerne |
| Buda | BYOO-duh Not “BOO-duh” |
| Burnet Road | BURN-it “Burnet, durn it, learn it!” |
| Guadalupe (“The Drag”) | GWAD-uh-loop Anglicized from the Spanish gwa-da-LOO-pay |
| Koenig Lane | KAY‑nig German ‘oe’ = ‘ay’ |
| Manchaca (town) and Menchaca Road | MAN-chack The road was renamed Menchaca, for José Antonio Menchaca. You’ll still hear MAN-chack |
| Manor (city & Rd) | MAY‑nur Not “man-or” |
| Mexia | muh-HEY-uh Named for Texas revolutionary José Antonio Mexía |
| Mueller (neighborhood) | MILL-er or MEW-ler Robert Mueller said “Miller”; Austin is split |
| Pedernales River | perd-uhn-AL-iss LBJ’s way of saying it stuck |
| Waxahachie | walks-uh-HATCH-ee Where the name comes from is disputed |
The Austin names in this chart were checked against KUT’s field guide to Austin pronunciations (July 2024), and the Texas towns against the Dallas Morning News’ guide to unusual Texas town names (updated July 2025). Last checked: October 2026.
A Tribute to Leslie
Leslie Cochran, the beloved drag-walking, sign-wielding local legend, showed us that weird isn’t just okay. It’s essential. His memory reminds us: Austin’s weirdness is its power.
Welcome, Newcomers!
Moving in? Once you’ve picked a neighborhood, work through the names:
- Start with Manchaca.
- Conquer Guadalupe.
- Slide through Burnet, Mueller, Manor.
- Try Boerne, Buda, Pedernales, and Waxahachie.
- Say them till they roll off your tongue.
Pronunciation isn’t just words. It’s respect, history, and home all in one.
🤠 Your First-Timer Checklist
- Practice: Manchaca, Guadalupe, Pedernales
- Visit Leslie’s old haunts on Sixth Street and wear weird proudly
- Casually drop “GWAD-uh-loop” at taco stands
- Laugh when someone stumbles over “Koenig”. We all do
From Newcomer to Neighbor
Austin’s accent is a bridge, from settlers to settlers, queer to queer, newcomer to neighbor. Get the names right, and you’re not a visitor anymore. You’re one of us.
How We Check
We check every business and group we name against what it publishes about itself: its own site, its booking page, or its state license. No business pays to be in a guide, and we don’t earn a commission when you book.
The full method is on How We Choose. If something here is wrong or out of date, send a correction.