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-establish historical usage should not be a primary reason to change a name.
Generally, the most important policy regarding names is local use and acceptance. Upon receipt of a proposal to change the name of a natural feature, or that of an unincorporated populated place, canal, channel, or reservoir, all interested parties will be asked to comment. The BGN will make a decision after Tribal, county, and local governments; State Geographic Names Authority; and appropriate land management agencies have had an opportunity to provide recommendations.
Please note that no feature can be named for a living person. A potential honoree(s) must have been deceased for at least five years and must have had either a direct and/or long-term association with the feature or must have made notable civic contributions.
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, contact BGNEXEC@usgs.gov.
Learn more: Guidance on Name Proposals
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Some Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest variously called Mount St. Helens 'lawilátɬa ', or 'one from whom smoke comes'. The volcano lawilátɬa is listed (as Lawetlat’la) on the National Register of Historic Places and acknowledged as a Traditional Cultural Property of significance to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. The modern name, Mount St...
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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 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...
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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...