Proposals to name an unnamed natural feature can be submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names throughout the Federal Government and has developed policies governing issues such as commemorative naming, derogatory and offensive names, names in wilderness areas, long names, commercial names, and animal names.
Please note that no feature can be named for a living person. A potential honoree must have been deceased for at least five years and must have had either a direct and long-term association with the feature or must have made notable civic contributions.
Generally, the most important policy regarding names is local use and acceptance. Upon receipt of a proposal, all interested parties will be asked to comment. The BGN makes decisions only after receiving recommendations from the Tribal, county, and local governments; the State Names Authority; and appropriate land management agencies. Only name proposals for natural features will be accepted.
Please read the Principles, Policies, and Procedures and then submit proposals for name changes by completing the Domestic Geographic Names form. An information packet and form can be mailed upon request. The entire process is free of charge but will take a minimum of six months. For more information, send an email to BGNEXEC@usgs.gov.
Learn more: Guidance on Name Proposals
Related Content
What is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)?
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), which maintains cooperative working relationships with State Names Authorities to standardize geographic names for Federal use. GNIS contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 states, the...
How can I propose a name change for a natural feature?
Proposals to change the name of a natural feature should be submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). There must, however, be a compelling reason to change it. The BGN is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names throughout the Federal Government and discourages name changes unless there is a compelling reason. Further, changing an existing name merely to correct or re...
How do I report an error in the Geographic Names Information System database?
Please report possible errors in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database to the GNIS Manager at GNIS_manager@usgs.gov. The Names data experts will investigate and validate the data, enter appropriate corrections where needed, and advise you of the results. Learn more: Geographic Names FAQs
Does the Geographic Names Information System database contain entries for obsolete names and geographic features that no longer exist?
Yes, the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) includes features that no longer exist and names that are no longer used. If a feature no longer exists on the landscape, or the name has fallen out of use, the entry is marked “historical”. The designation “historical” has no reference to age, size, condition, extent of habitation, type of use, or any other factor. Examples of historical...
How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data?
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data is available for download via the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website. You can also download names using a query in Search Domestic Names. GNIS includes official names, their location attributes, variant names, and other data, which can be displayed, printed, and downloaded (in csv format) up to a maximum of 2,000 records. GNIS data can also be...
Does Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) include manmade and administrative features, such as churches, cemeteries, parks, schools, shopping centers, trails?
No. GNIS does not include roads, highways, administrative, or cultural features, except for canals, channels, reservoirs, communities, civil divisions, and military features. In 2021 the following geographic features, referred to as “administrative” (cultural or man-made), were removed from GNIS: airport, bridge, building, cemetery, church, dam, forest, harbor, hospital, mine, oilfield, park, post...
Related Content
- FAQ
What is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)?
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), which maintains cooperative working relationships with State Names Authorities to standardize geographic names for Federal use. GNIS contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 states, the...
How can I propose a name change for a natural feature?
Proposals to change the name of a natural feature should be submitted to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). There must, however, be a compelling reason to change it. The BGN is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names throughout the Federal Government and discourages name changes unless there is a compelling reason. Further, changing an existing name merely to correct or re...
How do I report an error in the Geographic Names Information System database?
Please report possible errors in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database to the GNIS Manager at GNIS_manager@usgs.gov. The Names data experts will investigate and validate the data, enter appropriate corrections where needed, and advise you of the results. Learn more: Geographic Names FAQs
Does the Geographic Names Information System database contain entries for obsolete names and geographic features that no longer exist?
Yes, the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) includes features that no longer exist and names that are no longer used. If a feature no longer exists on the landscape, or the name has fallen out of use, the entry is marked “historical”. The designation “historical” has no reference to age, size, condition, extent of habitation, type of use, or any other factor. Examples of historical...
How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data?
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data is available for download via the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website. You can also download names using a query in Search Domestic Names. GNIS includes official names, their location attributes, variant names, and other data, which can be displayed, printed, and downloaded (in csv format) up to a maximum of 2,000 records. GNIS data can also be...
Does Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) include manmade and administrative features, such as churches, cemeteries, parks, schools, shopping centers, trails?
No. GNIS does not include roads, highways, administrative, or cultural features, except for canals, channels, reservoirs, communities, civil divisions, and military features. In 2021 the following geographic features, referred to as “administrative” (cultural or man-made), were removed from GNIS: airport, bridge, building, cemetery, church, dam, forest, harbor, hospital, mine, oilfield, park, post...
- Multimedia
- Publications
- News