Pronouncing Database Technology Names

PostgreSQL has several accepted pronunciations. The most common forms are "post-GRES-cue-el" (saying the letters "Q" and "L" at the end) or "post-gres-Q-L". The official project says "POST-gres-Q-L" /ˈpoʊstɡrɛs kjuː ɛl/. Many developers shorten it to just "Postgres" /ˈpoʊstɡrɛs/ in conversation. Do not say "post-GRESS-quel" treating SQL as one word. "Postgres" in isolation: two syllables, stress on first, hard g.

MySQL is officially pronounced "My-S-Q-L" /maɪ ɛs kjuː ɛl/ — the word "my" plus the letters "S, Q, L." The "My" is from the co-founder's daughter's name. However, "My-sequel" /maɪ ˈsiːkwəl/ is widely used informally. Both are understood; "My-S-Q-L" is the official form. Do not blend it into "my-SKWUL." So "connect to My-S-Q-L" or "a My-sequel database."

MongoDB is said "MONG-oh-D-B" /ˈmɒŋɡoʊ diː biː/ — "MONG-oh" (two syllables, stress on first, the "o" long) then the letters "D, B" (dee-bee). So "store it in MONG-oh-D-B", "a MONG-oh-D-B document." The name comes from "humongous" (very large). Do not stress the second syllable of "mongo" or run "DB" into one sound.

Redis is pronounced "REE-diss" /ˈriːdɪs/ — two syllables, stress on the first, long /iː/ vowel (as in "tree"), and a short /ɪ/ in the second. So "cache it in REE-diss", "a REE-diss instance." The name stands for "REmote DIctionary Server." Do not stress the second syllable or spell it out. The double-s ending is one /s/ sound, as in "this."

Elasticsearch is said "ee-LASS-tik-surch" /iːˈlæstɪksɜːrtʃ/ — stress on the second syllable "LASS," with a long "ee" at the start and the compound ending "search" /sɜːrtʃ/. So "index it in ee-LASS-tik-surch", "an ee-LASS-tik-surch cluster." It compounds "elastic" (stress on LASS) and "search." Total: four to five syllables. The "e-" prefix is long "ee," not short "eh."