Sault Ste. Marie, Soo, Saultite

In the official name Sault Ste. Marie, Sainte is abbreviated to Ste., and no hyphens are used.

• The name Sault Ste. Marie is derived in part from the old French word sault (now saut) meaning “waterfall” or “rapids.”

A native or resident of Sault Ste. Marie is called a Saultite (pronounced Soo-ite). While this demonym is found in newspapers and magazines, it is often replaced in more formal writing by native, resident or inhabitant of Sault Ste. Marie, or some similar phrase.

• Saultites enjoy their region’s natural beauty.

Sault Ste. Marie (sometimes referred to as the Sault) is commonly used as a modifier, while Saultite is not.

• Sault Ste. Marie residents (or Sault residents) enjoy their region’s natural beauty.
• The Sault Star reported that children from Chernobyl visit Sault Ste. Marie each summer to improve their health and strength.
• Sault College trains cooks, pilots, forestry technicians and many other professionals.

The Sault and the Soo are popular nicknames for this city. However, the spelling Soo is not recommended in formal writing.