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Pronunciation Guide to Names
Theodore Roosevelt
26th president of the United States

Name: Theodore
Phonetic Pronunciation: THEE-uh-dor
Audio Pronunciation:

Name: Roosevelt
Phonetic Pronunciation: ROAZ-uh-velt
Audio Pronunciation:

Tags: US presidents   disputed pronunciation  

Notes: There has been much debate about the correct pronunciation of Roosevelt's last name, however, in several letters Theodore Roosevelt himself specifies the correct pronunciation. In a letter to the Rev. William W. Moir dated October 10, 1898 he writes:

As for my name, it is pronounced as if it was spelled "Rosavelt." That is in three syllables. The first syllable as if it was "Rose."

Source: Theodore Roosevelt Cyclopedia, pages 534-535. Available online at http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/

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