Any geographic feature, a mountain, hill, river, stream, wash, summit, spring. Places like unincorporated towns or villages can be named, but more formal places like cities and counties get their names through political processes.

Anyone, including individuals, groups, clubs, or governmental bodies, can propose a name, either to name a feature that now does not have a name or to change a name now in use.

Yes, there are rules, but they are easy to find and follow. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names has put them all together in a publication “Principles, Policies, and Procedures: Domestic Geographic Names.” This handy booklet can be obtained from the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website. Once you have the web page open, simply click on the blue letters that say “Principles, Policies, and Procedures.” Scan the first three short chapters where you will find information about naming features for people (commemorative names), naming features in wilderness areas, and what is meant by “derogatory names.”

Forms for naming proposals can be found right here FORM.

Send the completed form to the Nevada State Board on Geographic Names Contact Us.

Proposals are first reviewed by the Nevada State Board on Geographic Names. The Nevada State Board on Geographic Names serves as an advisory unit to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

FORMS MUST FIRST BE SENT TO THE NEVADA STATE BOARD ON GEOGRAPHIC NAMES Contact Us.

Proposals are first processed by the Nevada State Board on Geographic Names and then passed on to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Sending a "FORM" first to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names only causes a delay as the U.S. Board will just send it back to the Nevada State Board on Geographic Names.

FORM

 

• The Nevada State Board on Geographic Names

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• The U.S. Board on Geographic Names

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Who approves names?

All geographic names proposals must be submitted first to the Nevada State Board on Geographic Names.

The Nevada State Board on Geographic Names must review all names proposals within the state. The Nevada State Board on Geographic Names is advisory to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names makes the final name determination.

 

Is help available?

Contact the Nevada State Board on Geographic Names by telephone, e-mail, or mail. We can answer questions, guide you in filling out forms, and can review your forms for completeness.

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