Pete Buttigieg: Pronouncing the Presidential Candidate's Name

The Maltese Roots of "Buttigieg"

Mayor Pete Buttigieg's last name is of Maltese origin and translates roughly to "lord of the poultry."

Pronunciation Variations

But-edge-edge

This pronunciation, suggested by Buttigieg's Twitter bio, is widely accepted as the correct way to say his name.

Boot-edge-edge

This pronunciation is also commonly used, although it differs slightly from the Maltese original.

But-a-gig

This simplified pronunciation is often used for ease of pronunciation.

Keep Your Lips Almost Closed

The key to pronouncing the last two syllables of "Buttigieg" correctly is to keep your lips nearly closed while making a short "i" sound.

Additional Tips

• Focus on the second syllable (-tig-) and emphasize the "g" sound.
• Don't stress the first syllable (But-) too much.
• Pronounce the last syllable (-ieg) as a quick, almost silent "ig."

Sources

1. The New York Times: Pete Buttigieg's Name, Broken Down
2. The Washington Post: How to Pronounce Pete Buttigieg's Last Name