This is the official HBO pronunciation guide developed by the series' production staff and given to the actors during the filming of Game of Thrones. The guide was later released on the official HBO website for the series.
On the Winter is Coming fansite, writer Bryan Cogman clarified that some pronunciations would differ due to the accents and languages of the speaker. 'Ser' in particular will vary.
Character names
- Aerys Targaryen - AIR-eez Tar-GAIR-ee-in
- Alliser Thorne - AL-iss-er THORNE
- Arya Stark - ARE-yuh STARK
- Barristan Selmy - BAIR-iss-tin SELL-mee
- Benjen Stark - BEN-jin STARK
- Catelyn Stark - CAT-lin STARK ("cat" like the animal)
- Cersei Lannister - SER-see LAN-iss-ter
- Daenerys Targaryen - Duh-NAIR-iss Tar-GAIR-ee-in
- Eddard Stark - ED-dard STARK
- Gendry - GEN-dree (hard "g")
- Gregor Clegane - Gre-GOR Cli-GAIN
- Hodor - HO-dor
- Hoster Tully - HOSS-ter TULL-ee
- Illyrio - Il-LEAR-ee-oh
- Ilyn Payne - ILL-in PAIN
- Irri - I-ree
- Janos Slynt - JA-nos SLINT
- Jeor Mormont - JEE-or MORE-mont
- Joffrey Baratheon - JOFF-ree Buh-RATH-ee-un
- Jon Arryn - JON ARRIN
- Jorah Mormont - JOR-uh MORE-mont
- Jory Cassel - JOR-ee Cuss-EL
- Khal Drogo - KHAL DRO-go
- Loras Tyrell - LOR-us TI-rul
- Lysa Arryn - LIE-ssa ARRIN
- Maester Luwin - MAY-ster LOO-win
- Maester Pycelle - MAY-ster Py-SELL
- Myrcella Baratheon - Mer-SELL-uh Buh RATH-ee-un
- Nymeria - Nigh-MEER-ee-uh
- Petyr Baelish - PEE-ter BAY-lish
- Pyp - PIP
- Qotho - QUO-tho
- Renly Baratheon - REN-lee Buh-RATH-ee-un
- Rhaegar Targaryen - RAY-gar Tar-GAIR-ee-in
- Rickon Stark - RICK-on STARK
- Rodrik Cassel - RAH-drick Cuss-EL
- Samwell Tarly - SAM-well TAR-lee
- Sandor Clegane - SAN-dore Cli-GAIN
- Sansa Stark - SAHN-suh STARK
- Septa Mordane - SEP-ta Mor-DAIN
- Syrio Forel - SEER-ee-o For-EL
- Theon Greyjoy - THEE-on GRAY-joy
- Tommen Baratheon - TAH-min Buh-RATH-ee-un
- Tyrion Lannister - TEER-ee-un LAN-iss-ter
- Tywin Lannister - TIE-win LAN-iss-ter
- Varys - VAIR-iss
- Viserys Targaryen - Vi-SAIR-iss Tar-GAIR-ee-in
- Walder Frey - WALL-der FRAY
- Waymar Royce - WAY-mar ROYCE
- Yoren - YOR-in
Places
- Asshai - Uh-SHY
- Braavos - BRA-vos
- Essos - ESS-os
- Eyrie - EAR-ee
- Harrenhal - HARRIN-hall
- Lys - LEESE
- Pentos - PEN-tos
- Qarth - KARTH
- Sept of Baelor - SEPT OF BAY-lor
- Vaes Dothrak - VIE-iss Doth-RACK
- Westeros - WES-te-ros