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 District of Columbia, and the territories and outlying areas of the United States, including Antarctica. GNIS is the geographic names component of The National Map.
GNIS contains records for approximately one million geographic names in the United States, including populated places, lakes, streams, summits, valleys, and ridges.
Search GNIS using the Search Domestic Names query form. A feature search yields the official name, State and County, latitude and longitude, the name of the USGS topographic map(s) on which the feature can be found, BGN Decision Date (if relevant), known variant names, and in many cases, additional feature information, i.e., History and Description. There is also an interactive map with optional imagery and other layers.
Learn More: Geographic Names FAQs
Related Content
How often is the Geographic Names Information System database updated?
Federal, tribal, state, local, and non-governmental data partners continuously submit new features and edits to existing features in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Additions and changes are validated by the staff and made available on the Search Domestic Names application. The downloadable files are revised bi-monthly and available via The National Map Downloader. and the GNIS web...
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...
How can I name an unnamed natural feature?
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...
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...
What is the difference between "mountain", "hill", and "peak"; "lake" and "pond"; or "river" and "creek?"
There are no official definitions for generic terms as applied to geographic features. The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) utilizes 43 broad categories of feature classes defined solely to facilitate retrieval of entries with similar characteristics. Go to GNIS Domestic Names Feature Classes to see the full list. These categories generally match dictionary definitions, but not always...
How are U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps named?
A USGS topographic map is usually named for the most prominent feature within the bounds of the map, frequently a community. Most topographic maps are named for the most centrally located, well-known, and/or largest community labeled on the map. If the community for which the map should be named falls on two or more maps, a directional term might be used such as East and West. An example is...
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- FAQ
How often is the Geographic Names Information System database updated?
Federal, tribal, state, local, and non-governmental data partners continuously submit new features and edits to existing features in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Additions and changes are validated by the staff and made available on the Search Domestic Names application. The downloadable files are revised bi-monthly and available via The National Map Downloader. and the GNIS web...
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...
How can I name an unnamed natural feature?
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...
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...
What is the difference between "mountain", "hill", and "peak"; "lake" and "pond"; or "river" and "creek?"
There are no official definitions for generic terms as applied to geographic features. The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) utilizes 43 broad categories of feature classes defined solely to facilitate retrieval of entries with similar characteristics. Go to GNIS Domestic Names Feature Classes to see the full list. These categories generally match dictionary definitions, but not always...
How are U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps named?
A USGS topographic map is usually named for the most prominent feature within the bounds of the map, frequently a community. Most topographic maps are named for the most centrally located, well-known, and/or largest community labeled on the map. If the community for which the map should be named falls on two or more maps, a directional term might be used such as East and West. An example is...
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