The word "Gephardt" is spelled as /ˈɡɛp.hɑrt/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the first syllable. The pronunciation of the word can be broken down into four distinct sounds: a voiced velar plosive /ɡ/, an open front unrounded vowel /ɛ/, a voiceless aspirated bilabial plosive /pʰ/ and an unvoiced alveolar stop /t/. This peculiar spelling of the word may be difficult to master for non-native English speakers, but is important for correct pronunciation and effective communication.
The word "Gephardt" is predominantly a surname, rather than a common word. It originated as a German name, spelled as "Gephardt" or "Gebhardt". It is derived from the elements "geb", meaning "gift", and "hart", meaning "hardy" or "strong". Thus, the name can be interpreted to mean "strong gift" or "hardy gift". The name "Gephardt" gained some recognition in the United States due to Richard A. Gephardt, a prominent American politician who served as a congressman and as the House Minority Leader.