How Do You Pronounce New Madrid Missouri?

By Robert Palmer

Have you ever come across the name “New Madrid” and wondered how to pronounce it? Well, you are not alone. This small city located in Missouri has a name that can be a bit tricky to pronounce.

First things first, let’s get the facts straight. New Madrid is pronounced as “New MAD-rid”, not “New Ma-DRID”. Now that we have cleared that up, let’s dive into the history of the name.

New Madrid was named after Madrid, Spain, by Spanish explorers who visited the area in the late 17th century. The name “Madrid” was chosen to honor Juan de Madrid, who was a high-ranking official in the Spanish government at that time.

Now, let’s break down the pronunciation of “New MAD-rid”. The emphasis is on the second syllable, which is why it sounds like “MAD” instead of “Ma”. The first syllable is pronounced as “New”, similar to how you would say new shoes or new car.

To help you remember the correct pronunciation, try breaking it down into two words – “New” and “Madrid”. Then, emphasize the second syllable by saying it slightly louder than the first syllable – New MAD-rid.

It’s important to note that even though this small city may have a unique name, it holds a significant place in history. In 1811 and 1812, New Madrid experienced some of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in North America. The earthquakes were so powerful that they caused parts of the Mississippi River to flow backward temporarily and created new lakes in some areas.

In conclusion, if you ever find yourself traveling through Missouri or talking about this historic city with friends and family, remember that it’s pronounced as “New MAD-rid”. Emphasize the second syllable and don’t forget its fascinating history.