Here in Northeast Ohio, the locals are a breed of people with unique attitudes and lifestyles. We also possess a unique vernacular in addition to an accent that is all our own. If you can pronounce these Ohio words without thinking twice, you are a true Cleveland native.

1. Cuyahoga

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, USA
Erik Drost / Flickr
The people indigenous to this region named their river Cuayhoga, a word that means "crooked." The name has stuck, and it has continued to be used today. One could explore the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and then head home to Cuyahoga County. This unusual word is abundant all around our region.

2. Chippewa

Chippewa Township, OH, USA
Joe B / TripAdvisor
Chippewa was the way early English settlers originally heard the name of the Algonquian O'chepe'wag tribe, and the name has remained prevalent throughout the region. From the dreamy Chippewa Creek in the Cleveland Metroparks' Brecksville Reservation to the former Chippewa Lake Amusement Park that you may have once frequented, this name remains prevalent all throughout Northeastern Ohio.

3. Sokolowski

Sokolowski, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Jim Reynolds / Flickr
Cleveland neighborhoods like Tremont are overflowing with Polish and Slavic immigrants, making names like Sokolowski quite common. But why is this one surname in particular iconic? Since 1923, the Sokolowski family has treated locals to some of the tastiest Polish food in town. In fact, they're one of the best restaurants in The Land.

4. Geauga

Geauga County, OH, USA
Patrick McGarvey / Flickr
Once upon a time, the Onondaga peoples referred to the Grand River as "Geauga," a word which means "raccoon." Though the word no longer describes the river, it is now the title of one of Cleveland's neighboring counties. Many locals once frequented the charming Geauga Lake Amusement Park, a fun little escape that now sits in ruin.

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5. Tuscarawas

Tuscarawas, OH, USA
R.A. Killmer / Flickr
The quaint county of Tuscarawas makes for a lovely day trip for many Clevelanders. It is filled with many charming small towns that are filled with history. Like many other words on this list, Tuscarawas has very old roots. The word is believed to be of Delaware origin, and it either translates as "old town" or "open mouth." Which do you think is the more likely translation?

6. Heinen's

Heinen's Grocery Store, 900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
Erik Drost / Flickr
Heinen is another old Cleveland name, and this store has long served the Greater Cleveland area. In 1929, Joe Heinen opened his first store on Kinsman Road. It was a butcher shop, but it was successful enough that he was able to launch a career as a grocer. In recent years, this splendid local company decided to breathe life into a neglected Cleveland icon. For the full story about this lovely community in Ohio.

7. Medina

Medina County, OH, USA
Nikki Rhoades
Medina County borders Cuyahoga County to the south, and its history is fascinating. Medina, the county seat, was originally named Mecca... that is until locals realized that there was already a community with that name. It was changed to Medina, but it is not pronounced like the traditional Saudi city of "Meh-dee-na." Here, as you know, we say "Meh-dine-uh," which makes navigating anywhere using Siri or Google Maps pretty funny.

8. Mantua

Mantua Station Drug Company / Facebook
Hidden in Portage County is a petite village with a unique name. Mantua may seem easy enough to pronounce, but it is not quite phonetic as one may imagine. Here, we pronounce this word as "Man-uh-way."

Now that you know how to talk like an Ohioan, why not test your new-found skills by spending a day at the charming family-friendly Holden Arboretum near Cleveland:

Language is a fascinating thing, but it is particularly interesting to know how and why particular groups pronounce things in a certain way.

Here in Greater Cleveland, we locals are familiar with a wide range of words that would stump out-of-towners and we pride ourselves on our unique blend of Ohio slang. How many of these Ohio words and Midwestern slang do you recognize?

For more interesting Ohio towns, check out these nearby communities with super strange names.

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More to Explore

Life In Ohio

Chris Muras | February 02, 2024

What are some charming small towns in Ohio?
If you are planning a visit to Ohio or are already living in Ohio and want to move to a new location, these charming small towns in Ohio are ones to look into:

  • Yellow Springs, OH: If you are looking for the perfect little spot in Ohio, why not check out a village that was designed to be a utopian paradise? Yellow Springs was originally founded to be a utopian community in 1825 with around 100 idealistic families. It sounds a bit like a creepy sci-fi flick, so it is no wonder the plan fell through. However, when Antioch College was built here in 1852, the town blossomed into a center of learning with open-minded residents who turned the town into a vibrant community. Today, it is a lovely town with a scenic landscape and tons of history.
  • Granville, OH: This charming Ohio town is a blend of modern learning and quiet history. The size of the town's population nearly doubles when Denison University is in session. Unlike some college towns, Granville retains its quiet small-town vibe but with a youthful exuberance that brings life to the community. You'll find cute shops, cozy local restaurants, beautiful parks, and a town that prides itself on its history.
  • Columbiana, OH: This small community has been voted the "Nicest Place in America" so you know it has a lot of heart. The town has plenty of old-fashioned charm with long-established family-run restaurants, shops, cafes, and museums, as well as beautiful places to get out in nature like Firestone Park. As you walk along Main Street you'll find welcoming smiles around every corner.

These three lovely towns in Ohio are only a few of the many wonderful places to live and visit in Ohio. Check out over a dozen more rural towns in Ohio that are worth a visit. If you really want to experience small-town Ohio, rent an RV and go on a state-wide road trip to see as many as you can.

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