You might have stayed in their hotels, earned points on their loyalty program, and even attended weddings in their ballrooms — but chances are, you’ve been saying Marriott all wrong this whole time.
This surprising revelation didn’t come from a random internet debate but straight from the source: David Marriott himself, the chairman of the company and grandson of the original founder JW Marriott.
The Big Reveal From the Marriott Family
Speaking at an event for loyalty members in Maryland this week, David Marriott dropped a detail that left many in the room stunned.
For decades, people around the world have been pronouncing the family’s name incorrectly.
While most say “mary-aat,” David insists the right way is “mary-uht.”
To make things crystal clear, he even gave the audience a mini pronunciation tutorial — and the clip quickly spread across TikTok, racking up nearly a million views.
A Lesson Straight From the Classroom
To lighten the moment, David shared a story about his wife Giovanna, who used to teach English.
One of her students would always call her “Mrs. Marriott” with the wrong pronunciation.
She finally asked him how he pronounced his own name, Elliot.
When he said “El-ee-uht” instead of “El-ee-aat,” she pointed out the same rule applies to Marriott.
“That’s right,” David told the crowd, “it’s not mary-aat, it’s mary-uht.”
TikTok Can’t Handle the News
Of course, the internet had plenty to say once the video made the rounds. Many viewers were shocked — but also unwilling to change their habits.
One joked, “Too late, I’m not changing the way I say it.”
Another wrote, “For $300 a night, I’m going to pronounce it however I want.”
Others admitted they were “today years old” when they learned the truth.
And some flat-out refused to accept it, insisting David “doesn’t make the rules.”
Other Celebs Who’ve Faced the Same Problem
Interestingly, Marriott isn’t the only famous name people have been butchering.
Just a few weeks ago, Denzel Washington explained that while everyone says “Den-zelle,” his name was originally “Den-zull.”
His mother made the switch to avoid confusion at home, since both he and his father share the same name.
Actor Steve Buscemi has also revealed that while fans say “Boo-shem-ee,” his family pronounces it “Bew-sem-see.”
And actress Kirsten Dunst recently admitted that almost everyone gets her name wrong — it’s supposed to be “Keer-sten,” not “Kur-sten” or “Kris-ten.”
A Name Millions Have Been Mispronouncing
So there you have it: after nearly a century of global recognition, the Marriott family has finally set the record straight.
Whether or not people actually adjust the way they say it remains to be seen — but one thing’s clear, this little detail has shaken hotel guests, TikTok users, and even loyal Marriott travelers everywhere.