Learn How to Pronounce Wilkes-Barre

Quick Answer: The place name Wilkes-Barre is locally pronounced [ˈwɪlks ˈbɛəri] and non-locally as [ˈwɪlks ˈbærə].
(Listen to the audio above for the stress and intonation)

The Expert's Take

Dr. Franz Lang

"I once took a train through Pennsylvania and saw the sign for Wilkes-Barre flash by. The hyphen always intrigued me. Later, a student from the area gave a presentation and pronounced it "WILKS-berry," which was a revelation. I'd been mentally pronouncing it with a more French flair for "Barré." It's a perfect example of an American toponym that preserves its historical honorees but has its own distinct, localized pronunciation that defies the spelling for outsiders."

By Dr. Franz Lang

Meaning and Context

Wilkes-Barre is a historic city in northeastern Pennsylvania, serving as the county seat of Luzerne County within the fertile Wyoming Valley. Founded in 1769 and incorporated as a city in 1871, it was a pivotal epicenter of the American anthracite coal mining industry during the 19th and early 20th centuries, an era that fueled its growth and shaped its resilient character. Named for British parliamentarians John Wilkes and Isaac Barré, notable for their pro-colonial advocacy, the city's identity is deeply intertwined with its industrial heritage, which is preserved at sites like the Luzerne County Historical Society. Today, Wilkes-Barre is a key anchor of the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton Metropolitan Statistical Area, focusing on healthcare, education, and downtown revitalization, with institutions such as King's College and Wilkes University contributing to its cultural and economic landscape. Situated along the Susquehanna River, the city offers access to Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains region, blending its rich history with ongoing community development and recreational opportunities.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is "Wilkes-Barre," which includes a hyphen and an accent aigu (acute accent) over the final 'e' in "Barre." Common misspellings and typographical errors arise from omitting the hyphen, resulting in "Wilkes Barre," or from misspelling the components, such as "Wilks-Barre" or "Wilkes-Barr." The accent is frequently dropped in informal digital communication, leading to "Wilkes-Barre" or simply "Wilkes Barre." Another occasional error is the reversal of the names to "Barre-Wilkes." It is also sometimes mistakenly written as "Wilkesboro," which is a different city entirely in North Carolina. When searching for the city online or in databases, using the unhyphenated form is often acceptable due to search engine normalization, but for formal writing and historical accuracy, preserving the hyphen and accent is recommended.

Example Sentences

After exploring the exhibits on the coal mining era at the Luzerne County Historical Society, we walked along the River Common park in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

Many of the city's annual festivals, like the Cherry Blossom Festival, draw visitors from throughout the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area to the picturesque Susquehanna Riverfront.

The innovative flood protection system, constructed after the devastation of Hurricane Agnes in 1972, has become a defining feature of modern Wilkes-Barre's infrastructure.

Students from Wilkes University often frequent the shops and restaurants that now populate the historic buildings on Public Square.

Planning a weekend trip to the Poconos often includes a stop in Wilkes-Barre to visit the F.M.

Kirby Center for the Performing Arts.

Sources and References

For the city name "Wilkes-Barre," I used American media and local sources. I listened to news reports from Pennsylvania-based TV stations and radio broadcasts. I also used Forvo for a native speaker recording and YouGlish to hear it pronounced by national news anchors and in travel documentaries about the region.

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