You've probably heard it a thousand times on the news or in podcasts. Someone mentions the guy who owns a literal rocket ship company, and they call him "Jeff Bee-zos." It sounds like a worker bee or maybe a brand of vitamins. Honestly, it’s one of those things that has been said wrong for so long that the mistake has basically become the truth for most of the world. Even Bill Gates, a guy who definitely knows him personally, has been caught on camera calling him "Bee-zos."
But if you want to actually get it right—like, how he says it when he introduces himself—you need to shift your vowels. The correct way to pronounce Jeff Bezos is BAY-zohss.
It’s not a long "e" sound. It’s a long "a," like in the word "bay" or "pay."
Why do we all keep messing this up?
English is weird, and we tend to default to certain patterns. When we see a "z" following an "e," our brains often jump to that "bee" sound. Think of words like "treze" or how people might say "breezy." But the name Bezos isn't originally English. It comes from his stepfather, Miguel "Mike" Bezos, who was born in Cuba.
In Spanish, the name is typically pronounced with a shorter "e" and an "s" sound that’s a bit softer. When Miguel moved to the United States and Jeff was eventually adopted by him, the name took on its Americanized form: BAY-zohss.
The second syllable is just as important. It’s not "zose" with a buzzing "z" at the end. It’s more of a soft "s." Think of the word "dose" or "gross."
So, put it together: BAY-zohss.
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The Washington Post literally had to settle this
Back in 2013, when Jeff Bezos bought The Washington Post, the newsroom was probably panicking. You can’t exactly own one of the most prestigious newspapers in the world if your own journalists can't say your name. They actually released a short video where Bezos himself looks right at the camera and says, "Hello, my name is Jeff Bezos."
He says it clearly: BAY-zohss.
He didn't seem annoyed, but you can tell it’s a distinction he’s had to make his whole life. Despite that video being out there for over a decade, the "Bee-zos" version persists. It’s like the "GIF vs JIF" debate, except there is a real person involved who has a definitive answer.
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A quick breakdown for your brain
If you’re still struggling to flip the switch, try these associations:
- Wrong: "Bee" (like the insect) + "Zos" (rhymes with Oz).
- Right: "Bay" (like a body of water) + "Zos" (rhymes with dose).
It’s a subtle difference, but in the world of high-stakes business and celebrity, getting a name right is a sign of respect. Or, at the very least, it makes you sound like you actually did your homework before starting that podcast episode.
Does it actually matter?
Kinda. In the grand scheme of things, Jeff Bezos is the second or third richest person on the planet (depending on the day and how Tesla's stock is doing). He probably doesn't lose sleep over a barista at Starbucks or a news anchor in London getting his name wrong.
However, names are tied to identity. For Jeff, the name Bezos represents the man who raised him. His biological father’s name was Jorgensen, but he has almost no relationship with that side of the family. The name Bezos is a tribute to the Cuban immigrant who came to America with nothing and helped build the foundation for what would become the Amazon empire.
When you say "BAY-zohss," you’re actually honoring that specific family history.
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Practical steps to master the name
- Stop saying "Bee." Every time you see his name, think of the San Francisco Bay. That’s your mental anchor.
- Watch the 2013 clip. If you need to hear the man himself say it, search for the Washington Post's "Jeff Bezos pronounces his name" video. It’s 13 seconds long.
- Correct your friends (politely). Next time someone says "Bee-zos," you can be that person who says, "Actually, he pronounces it Bay-zohss." Just don't be too smug about it.
Next time you're talking about Blue Origin or the latest Amazon Prime delivery, give the correct pronunciation a spin. It feels a bit more "in the know," and honestly, it just sounds better.
Now that you've got the name down, you might want to look into how to pronounce other tricky tech names like "Huawei" or "Sundar Pichai"—because the tech world is full of names that look nothing like they sound.