Pronunciation: [fˈɒlsəm] (IPA) 
The word "Folsom" is spelled with two syllables: "Fol" and "som". The first syllable "Fol" is pronounced as /fɑl/ and ends with the vowel sound /ɑ/. The second syllable "som" is pronounced as /səm/ and ends with the vowel sound /ə/. Together, the word is pronounced as /ˈfɑlsəm/. The spelling of the word "Folsom" remains consistent with standard English orthography, with the letters in the word representing the sounds in the pronunciation.
Folsom is a proper noun that serves both as a geographic location and a surname. As a geographic location, Folsom is primarily associated with the city of Folsom, situated in Sacramento County, California, United States. This city derived its name from Joseph Libbey Folsom, who played a significant role in the city's inception during the California Gold Rush era. Folsom is renowned for its rich history, especially due to its association with the Folsom State Prison, one of the oldest prisons in California.
The term "Folsom" can also be a surname, primarily of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is believed to have originated from a habitational name associated with areas named Foulsham or Foulis, found in Norfolk, England. Another possible origin lies in "folc-hām," an Old English term meaning "people's village" or "farmstead," associated with various locations across England.
As a surname, the name Folsom has been widely documented, particularly in the United States, where it gained prominence after Joseph Libbey Folsom. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Burt Folsom, an American historian, and Frances Folsom Cleveland, the First Lady of the United States during President Grover Cleveland's administrations. Overall, "Folsom" refers to a geographic location and a surname, both of which possess distinct historical and cultural significance.
The word "Folsom" originates from the surname of a prominent early settler and businessman named Joseph Libbey Folsom. Joseph Folsom was born in New Hampshire in 1817 and arrived in California in 1849 during the Gold Rush era. He established a trading post called "Grantsville" near the American River, which later became known as Folsom's Ranch or Folsomville. Over time, the settlement and the area around it came to be known simply as Folsom. The city of Folsom, California, and Folsom Lake are named after Joseph Libbey Folsom.
