The surname "Liotta" is pronounced as /liˈɑːtə/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The spelling of this word is unique and has an interesting origin. The name is of Italian descent, and it is believed to have come from the word "liuto," which means lute. The spelling modification may have occurred during the immigration process or to make it easier for non-Italians to pronounce. The spelling of the name can vary depending on the region, but the same pronunciation remains constant.