Mariska Hargitay Shares Frustration Over Name Mispronunciations

Los Angeles, CA – Mariska Hargitay, the iconic star of NBC’s long-running show “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” opened up about the persistent mispronunciation of her name during a recent episode of Amy Poehler‘s podcast.

Despite being a household name for over 26 years, Hargitay revealed that she often still encounters people who pronounce her first name incorrectly. “Oh, I still live with it,” she confessed, sharing a recent encounter with her cousin who called her “Ma-ris-ka” instead of her correct pronunciation, “Ma-rish-ka.”

In an effort to help the crew on set remember the correct pronunciation, Hargitay has taken to spelling out her name on call sheets. “Now, on the call sheet, it’s M-A-R-I-S-H-H-H-H-H-K-A. That’s how I put it on the call sheet,” she said, emphasizing that her name is significant and should be respected.

Born in 1964, Hargitay’s full name is Mariska Magdolna Hargitay. The name has Hungarian roots, echoing her father’s heritage. “My whole name is my dad’s mother’s name,” she noted.

Hargitay jokingly explained that in Hungarian, her name translates to “gorgeous, talented one.” She elaborated that it’s actually a nickname for Maria, meaning “little Maria.”

As the lead of “SVU,” Hargitay has faced many challenges portraying Detective-turned-Captain Olivia Benson, dealing with difficult storylines and collaborating with numerous guest stars. Her father, Mickey Hargitay, even made a guest appearance on the show, further connecting her legacy to her family.

Fans can catch more of Hargitay’s experiences and anecdotes in her full interview on Poehler’s podcast. Mispronunciations or not, Hargitay’s influence in the television world is undeniable.