Finally, Once and for All, Here’s How to Pronounce These Celebrities’ Names

Timothée Chalamet? Saoirse Ronan? Chiwetel Ejiofor? Here’s a handy guide to help you pronounce some of the most difficult names in Hollywood…

Hasan Minhaj

Comedian Hasan Minhaj brought attention to the issue of celebrity name pronunciations in the spring of 2019 when Ellen DeGeneres mispronounced his name on her show. “It’s huh-SON min-AHJ,” she said, pronouncing his name the way most people did.

But he corrected her that the proper way to say his name is “HUHS-in MIN-hahj .” He also joked, “At Starbucks, I go by Timothée Chalamet.” Speaking of whom…

Pronunciation: HUHS-in MIN-hahj

Timothée Chalamet

Timothée Chalamet is one of the most in demand actors of this current generation. Having gotten his start on “Homeland,” he quickly went on to appear in the highly regarded 2014 film “Interstellar,” before he got an Oscar nom for 2017’s “Call Me by Your Name.” His name may look confusing, but “Timothée” sounds just like the more familiar “Timothy.”

Pronunciation: TIM-uh-thee SHAL-uh-mey

Kim Basinger

As one of the most famous starlets of all time, it’s a wonder how people still can’t seem to pronounce Kim Basinger’s name correctly. For decades, people have been pronouncing her name alternately with a hard G or a soft G. Which is correct? The former. Hard G. Sing, not singe.

Pronunciation: KIM BAY-sing-er

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

You’re guaranteed to recognize Nikolaj Coster-Waldau from his work as Jaime Lannister on HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” The actor was born and raised in Denmark, which definitely accounts for his long and unpronounceable name.

Pronunciation: NIK-uh-lahy KAW-stur WAWL-dou