A guide to saying it correctly

How to Pronounce Santorini

Pronounced san-tuh-REE-nee, this Greek island's name honors Saint Irene.

santorini

san-tuh-REE-nee

/ˌsæn.təˈri.ni/  ·  san · tuh · ree · nee

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Native US English  ·  Kokoro neural TTS  ·  0:01

It's a popular subject in travel blogs, vacation planning conversations, and news articles about Greek tourism.

Where the word comes from

The name Santorini is derived from Saint Irene (Agia Eirini in Greek), a saint from the 4th century. The name 'Santorini' was given by the Venetians during their rule.

Common ways people get it wrong

  • SAN-tuh-rin-ee The stress is on the third syllable, 'REE', not the first. Remember the rhythm: san-tuh-REE-nee.
  • san-tor-EE-nee The second syllable is pronounced like 'tuh', not 'tor'. Focus on the softer 'uh' sound.

Frequently asked

What is the correct pronunciation of Santorini?

The most common pronunciation in English is san-tuh-REE-nee. The stress falls on the third syllable, 'REE'.

Is Santorini pronounced with a hard 'T'?

Yes, the 'T' in Santorini is pronounced like the 't' in 'top'. It's not softened or dropped.

Where does the name Santorini come from?

The name Santorini is a contraction of 'Agia Eirini,' which means Saint Irene in Greek. This name was given by Venetian sailors.