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Person

Louisville

Kentucky (KY)est. 1778pop. 622,981/LOO-uh-vul/

The meaning

“Louis's town”

How it got the name

George Rogers Clark's settlement at the Falls of the Ohio was named in 1780 to thank Louis XVI for French support in the Revolution. Kentucky's pronunciation has ground the French name down to something close to 'LOO-uh-vul,' and residents treat any crisper attempt as an accusation.

Former names

  1. Falls of the Ohio settlement
  2. Louisville