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English exonyms

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An English exonym is a name in the English language for a place (a toponym), or occasionally other terms, which does not follow the local usage (the endonym). Exonyms and endonyms are features of all languages, and other languages may have their own exonym for English endonyms, for example Llundain is the Welsh exonym for the English endonym "London".

Romanization, or transcription of a non-Latin alphabet endonym into a Latin alphabet, is not generally regarded as creating exonyms: "The application of any scientifically sound romanization system to a non-Roman endonym merely re-creates that original endonym in another legitimate form" (Päll, 2002).[1][2] However old romanization systems may leave a legacy of "familiar" spellings, as in the case of, for example, romanization of Burmese.[3] This affects romanization of Arabic, romanization of Chinese, and many other non-Latin alphabet place names.

Translations of non-proper nouns such as "river" and "lake" also do not qualify as exonyms.

A less common form of exonym is usage for names and titles. Personal exonyms are typically limited to regnal names such as popes (John Paul II) and monarchs (Charles V); less commonly, well-known historical authors (John Calvin, for French Jean Calvin) are referred to by exonyms. The list does not include the list of English translated personal names.

General

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This section lists English-language exonyms that are for places located in multiple countries, English names of countries, and typical patterns.

Countries and territories

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The following is a list of countries and territories whose names in local languages differ from their (non-local) English ones. The list includes countries with limited recognition, autonomous territories of sovereign countries, and fully sovereign countries.

Country names are listed in their short form, and do not include names spelled identically in English. Near-identical names in pronunciation or spelling are included, but countries named with non-proper nouns (like Central African Republic or United Arab Emirates) are not. It is debatable whether the mere omission of a diacritical mark (as in several instances in the table below) creates an exonym.

The languages listed are official languages and/or prominent local languages, except if the name for the associated country is spelled the same as in English. Languages in italics are no longer spoken in the given country, but the name listed retains some use.

Likewise, exonyms in italics are obsolete or are disputed.

Countries and territories
English name Endonym Language
 Abkhazia Aṗsny (Аԥсны) Abkhaz
Abkhaziya (Абхазия) Russian
 Afghanistan Afġānestān (افغانستان) Dari
Afġānistān (افغانستان) Pashto
 Albania Shqipëri(a) Standard Albanian
Shqipyni(a) Gheg Albanian
 Algeria Al-Dzāyīr (الدزاير) Maghrebi Arabic
Al-Jazā'ir (الجزائر) Standard Arabic
 Armenia Hayastan (Հայաստան) Armenian
 Austria Österreich Standard German
 Azerbaijan Azərbaycan Azeri
 Bahrain Al-Baḥrayn (البحرين) Standard Arabic
 Bangladesh বাংলাদেশ (Bangladesh) Bengali
 Belarus Byelarus’ (Беларусь) Belarusian
Russian
 Belgium België Dutch
Belgien Standard German
Belgique French
 Benin Bénin French
 Bhutan Druk Yul (འབྲུག་ཡུལ་) Dzongkha
 Bolivia Mborivia Guarani
Puliwya Quechua
Wuliwya Aymara
 Bosnia & Herzegovina Bosna & Hercegovina (Босна & Херцеговина) Bosnian
 Brazil Brasil Portuguese
 Bulgaria Balgariya (България) Bulgarian
 Burkina Faso Burkĩna Faso Mossi
 Burundi Uburundi Kirundi
 Cambodia Kampuciə (កម្ពុជា) Khmer
 Cameroon Cameroun French
Kamerun Fula
 Cape Verde Cabo Verde Portuguese
Kabu Verdi Cape Verdean Creole
 Chad Tchad French
Tshād (تشاد) Standard Arabic
 Chile Chili Aymara
Chli Mapudungun
Chili Quechua
Tire Rapa Nui
 China Zhōngguó (中国) Mandarin
 Colombia Colombia Spanish
 Comoros Comores French
Juzur Al-Qamar (جزر القمر) Standard Arabic
Komori Comorian
 Congo-Brazzaville Kongó Lingala
Kôngo-Balazvile Kongo
 Congo-Kinshasa Kongo Luba-Katanga
Kongó-Kinsásá Lingala
Kôngo Kongo
Kongu Swahili
 Cook Islands Kūki 'Āirani Cook Islands Maori
 Croatia Hrvatska Croatian
 Cyprus Kıbrıs Turkish
Kýpros (Κύπρος) Greek
 Czech Republic, Czechia Česká republika, Česko Czech
 Denmark Danmark Danish
 Djibouti Jabuuti Somali
Jībūtī (جيبوتي) Standard Arabic
Yibuuti Afar
 Dominica Dominique French
Wai'tu kubuli Island Carib
 East Timor Timor-Leste Portuguese
Timór Lorosa'e Tetum
 Ecuador Ekuatur Shuar
Ikwayur Quechua
 Egypt Maṣr (مَصر) Egyptian Arabic
Miṣr (مِصر) Standard Arabic
 Eritrea Ertra (ኤርትራ) Tigrinya
‘Iritriyā (إرتريا) Standard Arabic
 Estonia Eesti Estonian
 Ethiopia Itiyoophiyaa Afar
Itoobiya Somali
Itoophiyaa Oromo
ʾĪtyōṗṗyā (ኢትዮጵያ) Amharic
Tigrinya
 Fiji Fijī (फ़िजी) Fiji Hindi
Viti Fijian
 Finland Suomi Finnish
 France France French
 Gambia Gámbi Wolof
Kambiya Mandinka
 Georgia Sakartvelo (საქართველო) Georgian
 Germany Deutschland Standard German
 Ghana Gaana Twi
 Greece Elládha (Ελλάδα) Greek
 Grenada La Gwenad Grenadian Creole
 Guinea-Bissau Guiné-Bissau Portuguese
 Guinea-Conakry Ginea-Conakry Fula
Guinée-Conakry French
 Haiti Ayiti Haitian Creole
Haïti French
 Honduras Honduras Spanish
 Hong Kong Xiānggǎng Chinese
 Hungary Magyarország Hungarian
 Iceland Ísland Icelandic
 India Bhaaratham (ഭാരതം) Malayalam
Bhārat (भारत) Marathi
Dogri
Hindi
Maithili
Nepali
Bhārat (ભારત) Gujarati
Bhārat (بًارت \ भारत) Kashmiri
Bhārat (بھارت \ ਭਾਰਤ) Punjabi
Bhārat (ڀارت \ भारत) Sindhi
Bhārat (بھارت) Urdu
Bhārata (ಭಾರತ) Kannada
Bhāratam (भारतम्) Sanskrit
Bhārathadeśaṁ (భారతదేశం) Telugu
Bhāratham (பாரதம்) Tamil
Bharot (भारत) Konkani
Bhārot (ভারত) Bengali
Bhārôt (ভাৰত) Assamese
Meitei
Bhārôt (भारत) Bodo
Bhārôtô (ଭାରତ) Odia
Siñôt (ᱥᱤᱧᱚᱛ) Santali
 Iran Irān (ایران) Persian
 Iraq Al-'Irāq (اَلْعِرَاق) Standard Arabic
Êraq (عێراق) Kurdish
 Ireland Éire Irish
 Israel Isrā'īl (إِسْرَائِيل) Standard Arabic
Yisraél (ישראל) Hebrew
 Italy Italia Standard Italian
 Ivory Coast Côte d'Ivoire French
 Japan Nihon / Nippon (日本) Japanese
 Jordan Al-'Urdunn (الأردن) Standard Arabic
 Kazakhstan Qazaqstan (Қазақстан) Kazakh
 Kosovo Kosovë Albanian
 Kuwait Al-Kuwait (الكويت) Standard Arabic
il-Ikwēt (الكويت) Gulf Arabic
 Kyrgyzstan Kırǧızstan (Кыргызстан) Kyrgyz
 Laos Lāo (ລາວ) Lao
 Latvia Latvija Latvian
Lețmō Livonian
 Lebanon Ləbnēn (لبنان) Levantine Arabic
Lubnān (لبنان) Standard Arabic
 Libya Lībiyā (ليبيا) Standard Arabic
 Lithuania Lietuva Lithuanian
 Luxembourg Lëtzebuerg Luxembourgish
Luxemburg Standard German
 Madagascar Madagasikara Malagasy
 Malawi Malaŵi Chewa
Tumbuka
 Malaysia Mǎláixīyà (马来西亚) Mandarin
 Maldives Dhivehi Raajje (ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ ) Dhivehi
 Mali Mālī (مالي) Standard Arabic
 Marshall Islands Aorōkin M̧ajeļ Marshallese
 Mauritania Agawej Berber
Cengiṭ Berber
Gànnaar Wolof
Mauritanie French
Moritani Pulaar
Mūrītānyā (موريتانيا) Standard Arabic
Murutaane Soninke
 Mauritius Maurice French
Moris Mauritian Creole
 Mexico México Spanish
Mēxihco Nahuatl
 Moldova Moldaviya (Молдавия) Russian
 Monaco Mónegue Occitan
Mùnegu Ligurian
 Mongolia Mongol Uls (Монгол Улс) Mongolian
 Montenegro Crna Gora (Црна Гора) Montenegrin
 Morocco Al-Maġrib (المغرب) Standard Arabic
lmeɣrib (ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ) Standard Moroccan Tamazight
Maroc French
 Mozambique Moçambique Portuguese
Msumbiji Swahili
Mozambiki Chewa
Muzambhiki Tsonga
 Myanmar Myǎma (မြန်မာ) Burmese
 Namibia Namibië Afrikaans
 Nauru Naoero Nauruan
   Nepal Nepāl (नेपाल) Nepali
 Netherlands Nederland Dutch
 New Zealand Aotearoa Maori
 Niger Al-Nayjar (النيجر) Standard Arabic
 Nigeria Naìjíríyà Igbo
Naìjíríyà Yoruba
Najeriya Hausa
 Niue Niuē Niuean
 North Korea Chosǒn (조선) Korean
 North Macedonia Maqedonia e Veriut Albanian
Severna Makedonija (Северна Македонија) Macedonian
 Norway Nöörja Southern Sami
Noreg Norwegian Nynorsk
Norga Northern Sami
Norge Norwegian Bokmål
Vuodna Lule Sami
 Oman 'Umān (عمان) Standard Arabic
 Pakistan Pākistān (پاکِستان) Urdu
 Palau Belau Palauan
Parao (パラオ) Japanese
 Palestine Filasṭīn (فلسطين) Standard Arabic
 Panama Panamá Spanish
 Papua New Guinea Papua Niu Gini Hiri Motu
Papua Niugini Tok Pisin
 Paraguay Paraguái Guarani
Paraguay Spanish
 Peru Perú Spanish
Piruw Aymara
Quechua
 Philippines Pilipinas Tagalog
 Poland Polska Polish
 Portugal Portugal Portuguese
 Qatar Giṭar (قطر) Gulf Arabic
Qaṭar (قطر) Standard Arabic
 Romania România Romanian
 Russia Rossíya (Росси́я) Russian
 Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Christopher and Nevis English
 Samoa Sāmoa Samoan
 Saudi Arabia al-Suʿūdiyya (ٱلسُّعُودِيَّة) Standard Arabic
 Senegal Senegaal Wolof
Sénégal French
 Serbia Srbija Serbian
 Seychelles Sesel Seychellois Creole
 Singapore Ciṅkappūr (சிங்கப்பூர்) Tamil
Singapura Malay
Xīnjiāpō (新加坡) Mandarin
 Slovakia Slovensko Slovak
 Slovenia Slovenija Slovene
 Somalia aṣ-Ṣūmāl (الصومال) Standard Arabic
Soomaaliya Somali
 Somaliland Ṣūmālīlānd (صوماليلاند) Standard Arabic
 South Korea Hanguk (한국) Korean
 South Sudan Paguot Thudän Dinka
 South Ossetia Alaniya (Алания) Russian
Allonston (Аллонстон) Ossetian
 Spain Espainia Basque
España Galician
Spanish
Espanha Occitan
Espanya Catalan
 Sri Lanka Ilaṅkai (இலங்கை) Tamil
Śrī Laṁkā (ශ්‍රී ලංකා) Sinhala
 Sudan as-Sūdān (السودان) Standard Arabic
 Sweden Sverige Swedish
  Switzerland Helvetia Latin
Schweiz Standard German
Suisse French
Svizra Romansh
Svizzera Standard Italian
 Syria Sūriyā (سوريا) Standard Arabic
 Taiwan Tâiuân (臺灣) Hokkien
Táiwān (臺灣) Mandarin
Taywan Amis
Tǒivǎn (臺灣) Hakka
 Tajikistan Tojikiston (Тоҷикистон) Tajik
 Thailand Pratheṣ̄thịy (ประเทศไทย) Thai
 Transnistria Nistrenia (Нистрения) Romanian
Pridnestrovye (Приднестровье) Russian
Prydnistrovya (Придністров'я) Ukrainian
 Tunisia Tunest Berber
Tunisie French
Tūnis (تونس) Standard Arabic
 Turkey Türkiye Turkish
 Turkmenistan Türkmenistan Turkmen
 Uganda Yuganda Luganda
 Ukraine Ukrajina (Україна) Ukrainian
 Uzbekistan Oʻzbekiston (Ўзбекистон) Uzbek
 Vatican City Stato della Città del Vaticano Standard Italian
Status Civitatis Vaticanae Latin
 Vietnam Việt Nam Vietnamese
 Yemen Al-Yaman (اَلْيَمَنُ) Standard Arabic

Other territories

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The following is a list of other territories/regions which are not deemed as countries or sovereign states.

Other territories
English name Endonym Language
 Alsace Elsass German
Elsàss Alsatian
 Basque Country País Vasco Spanish
Euskadi Basque
 Bavaria Bayern German
Boarn Bavarian
 Bohemia Čechy Czech
Böhmen German
 Brittany Bretagne French
Breizh Breton
 Catalonia Catalunya Catalan
Cataluña Spanish
 Cornwall Kernow Cornish
 Corsica Corse French
 Crimea Krym (Крым) Russian
Krym (Крим ) Ukrainian
Qırım Crimean Tatar
 Faroe Islands Færøerne Danish
Føroyar Faroese
 Flanders Vlaanderen Dutch
 Friesland Fryslân Frisian
 Galicia Galiza Galician
 Greenland Grønland Danish
Kalaallit Nunaat Greenlandic
 Hawaii Hawai‘i Hawaiian
 Kashubia Kaszuby Polish
Kaszëbë Kashubian
 Kurdistan Kurdistan (کوردستان) Sorani Kurdish
Kurdistān (كردستان) Arabic
Persian
Kürdistan Turkish
K’urdistan (Քուրդիստան) Armenian
Kurdıstan Zazaki
 Lombardy Lombardia Italian
 Moravia Morava Czech
Mähren German
 Normandy Normandie French
Normaundie Norman
 Northern Ireland Tuaisceart Éireann Irish
Norlin Airlann Ulster Scots
 Occitania Occitanie French
Occitània Occitan
 Piedmont Piemonte Italian
Piemont Piedmontese
 Pomerania Pomorze Polish
Pommern German
 Quebec Québec French
 Sardinia Sardegna Italian
Sardigna Sardinian
 Scotland Alba Scottish Gaelic
 Sicily Sicilia Italian
Sicilian
 Silesia Śląsk Polish
Slezsko Czech
Ślōnsk Silesian
Schlesien German
 Tibet Xīzàng (西藏) Mandarin
Böd (བོད) Tibetan
 Wales Cymru Welsh
 Wallonia Wallonie French

Specific countries

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Albania

[edit]
 Albania Shqipëria
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Durazzo Durrës Albanian Dated, Italian name
Tirana Tiranë Albanian Tirana is Albanian for "the Tirana"

Algeria

[edit]
 Algeria Al-Jazā'ir (الجزائر)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Algiers Al-Jazā'ir (الجَزائر) Standard Arabic
Constantine Qusanṭīnah (قسنطينة) Standard Arabic
Oran Wahrān (وَهران) Standard Arabic

Name of the country and its capital city in Arabic, Al-Jazā'ir (الجزائر), is Arabic for "the islands".[4]

Armenia

[edit]
 Armenia Hayastan (Հայաստան)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Ararat Plain Araratyan dasht (Արարատյան դաշտ) Armenian
Iğdır Ovası Turkish
Yerevan Erevan (Երևան) Armenian Armenian place pronounced like English name

Australia

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Most places in Australia have additional names in various indigenous Australian languages.

 Australia
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Ayers Rock Uluru Pitjantjatjara Dated
Rose Hill Parramatta Dharug Archaic
Tasmania Lutruwita Nuenonne / Palawa kani

Austria

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 Austria Österreich
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Ammergau Alps Ammergebirge[5] German
Bavarian Prealps Bayerische Voralpen[5] German
Brenner Pass Brennerpass[5] German
Carinthia Kärnten[6][5] German
Carpathian Basin Karpatenbecken[5] German
Danube river Donau[6] German
Drava Drau[5] German
Drave Drau[5] German Dated
Lake Constance Bodensee[6][5] German
Northern Limestone Alps Nördliche Kalkalpen[5] German
Southern Limestone Alps Südliche Kalkalpen[5] German
Styria Steiermark[6][5] German
Tyrol Tirol[5] German
Vienna Wien[6] German
Wetterstein Wettersteingebirge[5] German

Azerbaijan

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 Azerbaijan Azərbaycan
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Baku Bakı Azeri
Barda Bərdə Azeri
Caucasus Qafqaz Azeri
Ganja Gəncə Azeri
Lachin Laçın Azeri
Sumgait Sumqayıt Azeri

Belarus

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 Belarus (Беларус)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bielorussia, Byelorussia Belorussia Belarusian, Russian obsolete
White Russia Belorussia Belarusian, Russian obsolete

Belgium

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Historically, English borrowed French names for many places in Dutch-speaking areas of Belgium. With a few exceptions this practice is no longer followed by most sources.[7]

 Belgium België/ Belgique
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Antwerp Antwerpen Dutch
Bruges Brugge Dutch French name
Brussels Brussel Dutch
Bruxelles French
Courtrai Kortrijk Dutch Archaic, French name
Filford Vilvoorde Dutch Archaic
Flanders Vlaanderen Dutch
Gaunt Gent Dutch Archaic
Ghent Gent Dutch
Louvain Leuven Dutch Archaic, French name
Mechlin Mechelen Dutch Archaic
Ostend Oostende Dutch
Wallonia Wallonie French
Ypres Ieper Dutch French name

Bosnia & Herzegovina

[edit]
 Bosnia & Herzegovina Bosna & Hercegovina (Босна & Херцеговина)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bosnia Bosna (Босна) Bosnian
Herzegovina Hercegovina (Херцеговина) Bosnian German spelling, English name pronounced the same
Narenta Neretva (Неретва) Bosnian Italian name, sometimes used in English

Bulgaria

[edit]
 Bulgaria Balgariya (България)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Balkan Mountains Stara Planina (Стара Планина) Bulgarian
Danube river Dunav (Дунав) Bulgarian
Philippopolis Plovdiv (Пловдив) Bulgarian Archaic
Rhodope Mountains Rodopi (Родопи) Bulgarian
Sofia Sofiya (София) Bulgarian
Southern Dobruja Dobrudzha (Добруджа) Bulgarian Bulgarian half of former Dobruja region
Thrace Trakiya (Тракия) Bulgarian

Canada

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Numerous places in the predominantly French speaking province of Quebec have historically had English exonyms; in most cases, the exonym was a straight translation of the place's French name, with only one major city[which?] which ever had an English exonym that was entirely different from its original French name. With a few exceptions, such as Quebec City, these are no longer widely used. Exonyms are also commonly seen with regard to First Nations and Inuit peoples and communities; although government and media sources have evolved in recent years toward using these places' native endonyms, common usage may still favour the older exonyms.

 Canada
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Arctic Red River Tsiigehtchic Gwich'in Archaic
Big Trout Lake Kitchenuhmaykoosib Oji-Cree
Cambridge Bay Iqaluktuuttiaq Inuinnaqtun
Chesterfield Inlet Igluligaarjuk (ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒑᕐᔪᒃ) Inuktitut
Fort Franklin Délįnę Sahtu Archaic
Fort Hope Eabametoong Ojibwe
Fort Norman Tulita Sahtu Archaic
Fraserville Rivière-du-Loup French Archaic
Frobisher Bay Iqaluit (ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ) Inuktitut Archaic
Gjoa Haven Uqsuqtuuq (ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᖅ) Inuktitut
Holman Ulukhaktok Inuinnaqtun Archaic
Harrington Lake Lac Mousseau French
Iroquois River Rivière Richelieu French Archaic
Island of Orleans Île d'Orléans French
Lansdowne House Neskantaga Oji-Cree
Mount Royal Mont-Royal French
Quebec City Québec French
Queen Charlotte Island Haida Gwaii Haida Archaic
Rankin Inlet Kangiqliniq (ᑲᖏᕿᓂᖅ) Inuktitut
Saint Andrew Saint-André-d'Argenteuil French Archaic
Saint John Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu French Archaic
Summer Beaver Nibinamik (ᓃᐱᓇᒥᐦᐠ) Ojibwe
The River Ouse La Rivière Grand French Archaic
Kenhionhata:tie Mohawk
Three Rivers Trois-Rivières French Archaic
Two Mountains Deux-Montagnes French Archaic
Whale Cove Tikiraqjuaq (ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᖅ) Inuktitut

Cambodia

[edit]

During the Khmer Rogue period (1975–1979), the country was known in English as Democratic Kampuchea, closer to the endonym than its modern English exonym. The English exonym of Cambodia is based on the French exonym, Cambodge. The endonym is sometimes used in English, but the exonym is far more common.

 Cambodia Kampuchea (កម្ពុជា)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Mekong River Tonle Mekongk (ទន្លេមេគង្គ) Khmer
Phnom Penh Phnum Pénh (ភ្នំពេញគ) Khmer
Sihanoukville Krong Preah Sihanouk (ក្រុងព្រះសីហនុ) Khmer
Kampong Som (កំពង់សោម) Khmer

Central African Republic

[edit]
 Central African Republic Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka / République centrafricaine
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bangi Bangî Sango Bangi is occasionally used in English
Bangui French

Chile

[edit]
 Chile
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Easter Island Isla de Pascua Spanish
Rapa Nui Rapa Nui
Fireland[8] Tierra del Fuego Spanish Obsolete

China

[edit]

Some of the apparent "exonyms" for China are the result of change in romanization of Chinese to modern pinyin, for example "Tientsin" to "Tianjin". Other apparent exonyms are the result of the English name being based on one of the other varieties of Chinese besides Mandarin. Additionally, certain names which may now be considered exonyms actually preserve older Mandarin pronunciations which have changed in the intervening centuries.[9][10] For all areas in mainland China, names written in Chinese are written in simplified characters. For all areas in the special administrative regions (SARs), the names will be written in traditional characters.

 China Zhōngguó (中国)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Amoy Amoy Min Nan[11] Archaic
Xiàmén (厦门) Mandarin
Ē-mn̂g Amoy
Ē-mûi Amoy
Canton Guǎngzhōu (广州) Mandarin Archaic
Gwong2 Zau1 Cantonese Archaic
Changbai Mountain Chángbáishān (长白山) Mandarin
Paektusan (백두산) Korean
Chengchow Zhèngzhōu (郑州) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Chengtu Chéngdū (成都) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Chungking Chóngqìng (重庆) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Foochow Fúzhōu (福州) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Forbidden City Gùgōng (故宫), Zĭjìnchéng (紫禁城) Mandarin Means "Ancient Palace" and "Purple Forbidden City" respectively
Fukien Fújiàn (福建) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Gobi Desert Gēbì Shāmò (戈壁沙漠) Mandarin
Govi (ᠭᠣᠪᠢ) Mongolian
Hangchow Hángzhōu (杭州) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Heilungkiang Hēilóngjiāng (黑龙江) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Khejluntszyan (Хэйлунцзян) Russian
Hohhot Kökeqota (ᠬᠥᠬᠡᠬᠣᠲᠠ) Mongolian
Hūhéhàotè (呼和浩特) / Hūshì (呼市) Mandarin
Hokkien Fújiàn (福建) Hokkien Archaic, but survives in English name of the language
Hong Kong Hoeng1 Gong2 (香港) Cantonese
Xiānggǎng Mandarin
Inner Mongolia Öbür mongɣul (ᠦᠪᠦᠷ ᠮᠣᠩᠭᠣᠯ) Mongolian
Nèi Mĕnggǔ (内蒙古) Mandarin
Kalgan Kalgan(ᠬᠠᠭᠠᠯᠭᠠᠨ) Mongolian
Zhāngjiākŏu (张家口) / Kālāgàn (喀拉干) Mandarin Archaic
Kwangchow Gwong2 Zau1 Cantonese
Guǎngzhōu (广州) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Kweilin Gveilinz Zhuang
Guìlín (桂林) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Lop Nor /

Lop Nur

Luóbùpō (罗布泊) Mandarin
Lob Nughur (ᠯᠣᠪ ᠨᠠᠭᠤᠷ) Mongolian script
Lop Nur (لوپنۇر) Uighur
Macau Ou3 mun2 (澳門) Cantonese
Àomén (澳门) Mandarin
Mekong River Méigōnghé (湄公河) Mandarin
Mount Everest Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng

(珠穆朗玛峰)

Mandarin
Chomolungma (ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ) Tibetan
Mukden Mukden Manchu[12] Archaic
Shěnyáng (沈阳) Mandarin
Nanking Nánjīng (南京) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Paotou Bāotóu (包头) Mandarin Obsolete English spelling
Buɣutu qota (ᠪᠤᠭᠤᠲᠤ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ) Mongolian
Peking Běijīng (北京) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Port Arthur Dàlián (大连) Mandarin Archaic
Santow Shàntóu (汕头) Mandarin Archaic
Shaanxi Shǎnxī (陕西) Mandarin Name spelled using Guoyeu Romatzyh romanization, as the name would be the same as Shanxi using pinyin without tones.
Sian Xī'ān (西安) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Sinkiang Xīnjiāng (新疆) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Soochow Sūzhōu (苏州) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Swatow Shàntóu (汕头) Mandarin
Suan1tao5 (汕头) Teochew English orthography close to Teochew pronunciation (Teochew 'n' sound is nasal)
Szechuan Sìchuān (四川) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Tibet Bod (བོད) Tibetan
Xīzàng (西藏) Mandarin
Tsingtao Qīngdăo (青岛) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Yangtze River Cháng jiāng (長江/长江) Mandarin Based on the archaic name Yángzĭ Jiāng (揚子江/扬子江)
Yellow River Huáng Hé (黃河) Mandarin
Yenchi Yánjí (延吉) Mandarin Archaic, change in romanization
Yenji (옌지), Yǒnkil (연길) Korean
Yenki Yenji (옌지), Yǒnkil (연길) Korean
Yánjí (延吉) Mandarin

Croatia

[edit]
 Croatia Hrvatska
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Danube Dunav Croatian
Dalmatia Dalmacija Croatian
Istria Istra Croatian
Ragusa Dubrovnik Croatian Historical exonym
Zara Zadar Croatian Historical exonym

Cuba

[edit]
 Cuba
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bay of Pigs Bahía de Cochinos Spanish Cochino is one of several Spanish words used to define "pig"
Havana (La) Habana Spanish

Cyprus

[edit]
 Cyprus Kýpros/ Kıbrıs
English name Endonym Notes
Place Language
Famagusta Ammokhóstos (Αμμόχωστος) Greek
Gazimaǧusa Turkish
Kyrenia Girne Turkish
Kerýneia (Κερύνεια) Greek
Limassol Lemesós (Λεμεσός) Greek
Limasol Turkish
Nicosia Lefkoşa Turkish
Lefkosía (Λευκωσία) Greek

Czech Republic

[edit]

Historically, English-language sources used German names for many places in what is now the Czech Republic. With some exceptions (such as the Elbe and Oder rivers, both of which flow into Germany) this is no longer done by most sources.[13]

 Czech Republic Česká republika
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Beskids Beskydy Czech
Bohemia Čechy Czech Latin name
Bohemian Forest Šumava Czech
Bohemian Karst Český kras Czech
Bohemian Paradise Český ráj Czech
Bohemian Switzerland České Švýcarsko Czech
Budweis České Budějovice Czech Archaic, German name
Carlsbad Karlovy Vary Czech Archaic, German name
Elbe river Labe Czech German name
Fichtel Mountains Smrčiny Czech German name
Franzensbad Františkovy Lázně Czech Archaic, German name
Giant Mountains Krkonoše Czech
Hanakia Haná Czech Archaic
Lachia Lašsko Czech
Marienbad Mariánské Lázně Czech Archaic, German name
Moravia Morava Czech Latin name
Moravian Slovakia Slovácko Czech
Moravian Wallachia Valašsko Czech
Oder river Odra Czech German name
Ore Mountains Krušné hory Czech
Pilsen Plzeň Czech Archaic, German name
Prague Praha Czech French name
Silesia Slezsko Czech
Ślōnsk Silesian
Sudetes, Sudeten, Sudeten Mountains Krkonošsko-jesenická subprovincie, Sudety Czech
Sudetenland Sudety Czech
Upper Palatine Forest Český les Czech

Denmark

[edit]
 Denmark Danmark
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Copenhagen København Danish
Elsinore Helsingør Danish Dated
Funen Fyn Danish
Jutland Jylland Danish
Sleswick Schleswig Low German
Slesvig Danish
The Scaw Skagen Danish Dated
Zealand Sjælland Danish

Faroe Islands

[edit]
 Faroe Islands Føroyar
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Thor's Haven Tórshavn Danish Dated

Greenland

[edit]

Several places were known under Danish names, or a variant of them. Now only the local Greenlandic is used.

 Greenland Kalaallit Nunaat
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Frederikdshab Paamiut Greenlandic Obsolete
Godthab Nuuk Greenlandic Obsolete
Jacobshaven Ilulissat Greenlandic Obsolete
Sondre Stromfjord Kangerlussuaq Greenlandic Obsolete
Sondrestrom Kangerlussuaq Greenlandic Obsolete
Thule Qaanaaq Greenlandic Obsolete

Egypt

[edit]
 Egypt Miṣr (مصر)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Alexandria Al-Iskandariyya (الإسكندرية) Egyptian Arabic
Alexandria (ⲁⲗⲉⲝⲁⲛⲇⲣⲓⲁ) Coptic
Eskendereyya (اسكندرية) Egyptian Arabic
Rakote (ⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ ) Coptic
Cairo Al-Qāhirah (القاهرة) Standard Arabic
Maṣr (مَصر) Egyptian Arabic
Giza Al-Jīzah (الجيزة) Standard Arabic
El-Gīzeh (الجيزة) Egyptian Arabic
Luxor Al-Uqṣur (الاقصر) Standard Arabic
Babe (ⲡⲁⲡⲉ) Coptic
Loqṣor (الأقصر) Egyptian Arabic
Memphis Manf (مَنْف) Standard Arabic
Memfi (ⲙⲉⲙϥⲓ) Coptic
Nile An-Nīl (النيل) Standard Arabic
En-Nīl (النيل) Egyptian Arabic
Nilus Latin
Port Said Bur Sa'īd (بور سعيد) Standard Arabic
Bor Sa'īd (بور سعيد) Egyptian Arabic
Suez As-Suways (السويس) Standard Arabic

The English name of Egypt derives from the French name, Egypte, which is derived from the Greek name, Aigyptos (Αίγυπτος).[14]

Estonia

[edit]
 Estonia Eesti
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Lake Peipus Peipsi järv Estonian
Reval Tallinn Estonian Obsolete

Finland

[edit]
 Finland Suomi
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Karelia Karjala Finnish From Latin
Lapponia Lappi Finnish From Latin
Ostrobothnia Pohjanmaa Finnish From Latin, compare Swedish Österbotten
Savonia Savo Finnish From Latin
Tavastia Häme Finnish From Latin

France

[edit]
 France
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bay of Biscay Golfe de Gascogne French
Bethwyn Béthune French Archaic
Brittany Breizh Breton
Bretagne French
Burgundy Bourgogne French
Camerick Cambrai French Obsolete
Corsica Corse French
Corsica Corsican
Cressy Crécy-en-Ponthieu French
Dauphiny Dalfinat Occitan
Darfenât Arpitan
Dauphiné French Archaic
Dunkirk Dunkerque French
English Channel La Manche French
Flanders Flandre French
French Riviera Côte d'Azur French
Gascony Gascogne French
Gasconha Gascon
Lyons Liyon Arpitan
Lyon French Archaic
Marseilles Marseille French Archaic
Marselha Occitan
Normandy Normandie French
Normaundie Norman
Picardy Picardie French
Rheims Reims French Archaic
Rhine River Rhin French
Rone Rouen French Obsolete
Savoy Savoie French
Savouè Arpitan
Ushant Eusa Breton
Ouessant French

Georgia

[edit]
 Georgia Sakartvelo (საქართველო)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Caucasus Kavkasioni (კავკასიონი) Georgian
Tiflis Tbilisi (თბილისი) Georgian Obsolete

Germany

[edit]

This list does not include German place names with ß written with "ss" or umlauts being removed in some writing.

 Germany Deutschland
English name Endonym Notes
Name[5][6] Language
Aix-la-Chapelle Aachen Standard German Archaic
Oche Ripuarian
Baltic Sea Ostsee Standard German
Bavaria Bayern Standard German
Bay of Lübeck Lübecker Bucht Standard German German name means "Lübeck Bight"
Bay of Mecklenburg Mecklenburger Bucht Standard German German name means "Mecklenburg Bight"
Bay of Meldorf Meldorfer Bucht Standard German German name means "Meldorf Bight"
Bay of Pomerania Pommersche Bucht Standard German German name means "Pomeranian Bight"
Bay of Wismar Wismarer Bucht Standard German German name means "Wismar Bight"
Black Forest Schwarzwald Standard German
Brunswick Braunschweig Standard German Archaic
Brunswiek Low Saxon
Cleves Kleve Standard German Archaic
Coblence Koblenz Standard German Archaic
Coblenz Koblenz Standard German Dated
Cologne Kölle Ripuarian
Köln Standard German
Constance Konstanz Standard German Dated
Danube river Donau Standard German
Eastphalia Oostfalen Low Saxon
Ostfalen Standard German
Egge Hills Eggegebirge Standard German German name means "Egge Mountains"
Franconia Franken Standard German
Frankn Austro-Bavarian
Franconian Jura Frankenalb Standard German Frankenjura also used in German
Frankfort Frangford (am Maa) Hessian Archaic
Frankfurt (am Main) Standard German
Hamelin Hameln Standard German
Hanover Hannober Low Saxon
Hannover Standard German
Haßberge Hills Haßberge Standard German
Heligoland deät Lun Heligolandic North Frisian
Hälilönj Bökingharde North Frisian
Helgoland Standard German
Hesse Hessen Standard German
Hessia Hessen Standard German
Hither Pomerania Vorpommern Standard German
Hohwacht Bay Hohwachter Bucht Standard German
Jade Bight Jadebusen Standard German
Kaufungen Forest Kaufunger Wald Standard German
Kiel Canal Nordostseekanal Standard German
Knüll Knüllgebirge Standard German German name also used in English
Lake Constance Bodensee Standard German
Lower Bavarian Upland Niederbayerisches Hügelland Standard German
Lusatia Lausitz Standard German
Łužica Upper Sorbian
Łužyca Lower Sorbian
Malborow Marburg Standard German Archaic
Mayence Mainz Standard German Archaic
Mentz Mainz Standard German Archaic, British English
Moselle river Mosel Standard German
Musel Moselle Franconian
Munich Minga Austro-Bavarian
München Standard German
Nuremberg Narrnberch East Franconian
Nürnberg Standard German
Ore Mountains Erzgebirge Standard German
Palatinate Palz Palatinate German
Pfalz Standard German
Pomerania Pommern Standard German
Prussia Preußen Standard German
Ratisbon Regensburg Standard German Archaic
Rengschburch Austro-Bavarian
Rhenish Massif Rheinisches Schiefergebirge Standard German
Rhine river Rhein Standard German
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha Standard German English now uses translation Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Saxony Sachsen Standard German
Sassen Low Saxon
Swabia Schwaben Standard German
Szczecin Lagoon Stettiner Haff Standard German
Thuringia Thüringen Standard German
Tréier Moselle Franconian
Treves Trier Standard German Archaic, French name
Western Pomerania Vorpommern Standard German
Westphalia Westfalen Low Saxon
Standard German

Greece

[edit]

The exonym for Greece in English comes from Magna Graecia, which was a historical region in Italy colonized by the Greeks. The endonym Ellás comes from Helen of Troy, the legendary Greek figure whose abduction caused the Greek city-states to unite and fight against Troy during the Trojan War.

 Greece Elládha/ Ellás (Ελλάδα/ Ἑλλάς)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Attica Attikí (Αττική) Greek
Athens Athína (Αθήνα) Greek
Boetia Voiotía (Βοιωτία) Greek
Corfu Kérkyra (Κέρκυρα) Greek
Corinth Kórinthos (Κόρινθος) Greek
Crete Kríti (Κρήτη) Greek
Cyclades Kykládhes (Κυκλάδες) Greek
Dodecanese Dhodhekánisa (Δωδεκάνησα) Greek
Epirus Ipeiros (Ήπειρος) Greek
Euboea Evvoia (Εύβοια) Greek
Heraklion Irákleio (Ηράκλειο) Greek
Icaria Ikaría (Ικαρία) Greek
Ithaca Itháki (Ιθάκη) Greek
Lepanto Náfpaktos (Νάυπακτος) Greek Archaic
Macedonia Makedonía (Μακεδονία) Greek
Mediterranean Sea Mesógeios thálassa (Μεσόγειος θάλασσα) Greek
Missolonghi Mesológi (Μεσολόγγι) Greek
Naupactus Náfpaktos (Νάυπακτος) Greek Greek name also used in English
Navarino Pýlos (Πύλος) Greek Archaic
Patras Pátra (Πάτρα) Greek
Peloponnese Pelopónnisos (Πελοπόννησος) Greek
Philippi Fílippoi (Φίλιπποι) Greek
Piraeus Peiraiás (Πειραιάς) Greek
Rhodes Ródhos (Ρόδος) Greek
Rhodope Mountains Rodhópi (Ροδόπη) Greek
Salonica Thessaloníki (Θεσσαλονίκη) Greek Archaic
Samothrace Samothráki (Σαμοθράκη) Greek
Sparta Spárti (Σπάρτη) Greek
Thebes Thíva (Θήβα) Greek
Thessalonica Thessaloníki (Θεσσαλονίκη) Greek Greek name also used in English
Thessaly Thessalía (Θεσσαλία) Greek
Thrace Thráki (Θράκη) Greek
Zante Zákynthos (Ζάκυνθος) Greek Archaic

Haiti

[edit]
 Haiti Haïti / Ayiti
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Labadee Labadie French

Hungary

[edit]
 Hungary Magyarország
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Budapest Budapest Hungarian
Carpathian Mountains Kárpátok Hungarian
Comorn Komárom Hungarian Dated
Danube River Duna Hungarian
Pesth Pest Hungarian Archaic

Iceland

[edit]
 Iceland Ísland
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Blue Lagoon Bláa lónið Icelandic
Westman Islands Vestmannaeyjar Icelandic Dated, translation

India

[edit]
 India Bhārat (भारत)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Allahabad Prayagraj (प्रयागराज) Hindi Officially amended to Prayagraj but still in use in popular culture.
Allepey Alappuzha (ആലപ്പുഴ) Malayalam Dated
Bangalore Bengaluru (ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು) Kannada
Benares Varanasi (वाराणसी) Hindi Dated
Bombay Mumbai (मुंबई) Marathi Dated
Calcutta Kolkata (কলকাতা) Bengali Dated
Cawnpore Kanpur (कानपुर) Hindi Obsolete
Cochin Kochi (കൊച്ചി) Malayalam
Delhi Dilli (दिल्ली) Hindi
Ganges River Ganga (गंगा) Hindi
Indus River Sindhū (सिन्धु) Sanskrit
Jaypore Jaipur (जयपुर) Hindi Obsolete
Laccadive Islands Lakshadweep (ലക്ഷദ്വീപ്) Malayalam Obsolete
Madras Chennai (சென்னை) Tamil Dated
Palghat Palakkad (പാലക്കാട്) Malayalam Obsolete
Pondicherry Puducherry (புதுச்சேரி) Tamil Dated
Poona Pune (पुणे) Marathi Dated
Simla Shimla (शिमला) Hindi Obsolete
Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram (തിരുവനന്തപുരം) Malayalam

Indonesia

[edit]
 Indonesia
English name Endonym Note
Name Language
Bencoolen Bengkulu Indonesian Historical
Billiton Belitung Indonesian Obsolete
Borneo Kalimantan Indonesian These exonyms are also unofficially used in Indonesia.
Celebes Sulawesi Indonesian
Ceram Seram Island Indonesian
Java Jawa Indonesian
Lesser Sunda Islands
(Nusa Tenggara Islands)
Kepulauan Nusa Tenggara Indonesian
Kepulauan Sunda Kecil Indonesian Historical
Moluccas Maluku Islands Indonesian
New Guinea
(Papua)
Papua Indonesian
Irian Jaya Indonesian Historical
Nugini Indonesian Fossil word, only in compounds.
Savu Sawu Indonesian One of few alternative names for the island. Sabu is officially only used for Sabu Raijua Regency.
Sabu Indonesian

Iran

[edit]
 Iran Irān (اݐران)
English name Endonym Note
Name Language
Bushire Bushehr (بوشهر) Persian Obsolete
Caspian Sea Darya-ye Khazar (Khazar Sea) Persian
Isfahan Ešfahān (اصفهان) Persian
Meshed Mashhad (مشهد) Persian Obsolete
Teheran Tehran (تهران) Persian Obsolete

Iraq

[edit]
 Iraq Al-Irāq (العراق)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Ctesiphon Ṭaysafūn (طيسفون) or Qaṭaysfūn (قطيسفون) Standard Arabic
Duhok Dahūk (دهوك) Standard Arabic
Dihok (دهۆک) Kurdish
Beth Nohadra (ܒܝܬ ܢܘܗܕܪܐ) Syriac
Euphrates River Al-Furāt (الفرات) Standard Arabic
Firat Kurdish
Pǝrāth (ܦܪܬ) Syriac
Mosul Al-Mawṣil (الموصل) Standard Arabic
Māwṣil (ܡܘܨܠ) Syriac
Mosil (مووسڵ) Kurdish
Tigris River Deqlath (ܕܹܩܠܵܬ) Syriac
Dîcle (دیجلە) Kurdish
Dijla (دجله) Standard Arabic

Ireland

[edit]

The vast majority of placenames in Ireland are anglicisations, or phonetic renderings, of Irish language names. The exceptions to this are listed here:

 Ireland Éire
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Arklow an tInbhear Mór Irish
Carlingford Cairlinn Irish
Connaught Connacht Irish Dated
Dalkey Deilginis Irish
Dursey Baoi Bhéarra, Oileán Baoi Irish
Dublin Baile Átha Cliath Irish
Fastnet Carraig Aonair Irish
Haulbowline Inis Sionnach Irish
Howth Binn Éadair Irish
Killarney Cill Airne Irish
Lambay Reachrainn Irish
Leinster Laighin Irish
Leixlip Léim an Bhrádain Irish
Meath Irish
Munster Mumhan Irish
Oxmantown Baile Lochlannach Irish
Saltee Na Sailtí Irish
Selskar Seilsceir Irish
Skerries Na Sceirí Irish
Strangford Loch Cuan Irish
Ulster Ulaidh Irish
Waterford Port Láirge Irish
Wexford Loch Garman Irish
Wicklow Cill Mhantáin Irish

Israel

[edit]

The below listing is only a summary. Modern Israeli transcription systems (romanization of Hebrew) vary from the spellings of many hundreds of place names of Ancient Israel adopted by Bible translations - both Christian, such as the King James Version (1611) and also Jewish versions such as the JPS (1917).[15]

 Israel Yisrael (ישראל)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Acre Ako (עכו) Modern Hebrew Greek name
Beersheba Beer Sheva' (באר שבע) Modern Hebrew
Capernaum Kfar Nachum (כפר נחום) Modern Hebrew Latin name
Dead Sea Āl-Baḥrū l-Maytū (اَلْبَحْرُ الْمَيْتُ) Standard Arabic
Yam hamMelaḥ (ים המלח) Modern Hebrew
Galilee haGalil (הגליל) Modern Hebrew
Jaffa Yafo (יפו) Modern Hebrew
Joppa Yafo (יפו) Modern Hebrew Greek name, dated
Jordan River Nahr al-Urdun (نهر الأردن) Standard Arabic
Nahar haYarden (נהר הירדן) Modern Hebrew
Jerusalem Ūršalīm (أُورُشَلِيمَ) Standard Arabic
Yerushalayim (ירושלים) Modern Hebrew Latin name
Nazareth Natzrat (נצרת) Modern Hebrew Greek name
Sea of Galilee Imat Tbria (بحيرة طبريا) Standard Arabic
Yamat haKineret (ימת הכינרת) Modern Hebrew
Safed Tzfat (צפת) Modern Hebrew Arabic name
Tiberias Tverya (טבריה) Modern Hebrew Greek name

Italy

[edit]
 Italy Italia
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Apulia Puglia Standard Italian
Pùglia Neapolitan
Aventine Hill Aventino Standard Italian
Caelian Hill Celio Standard Italian
Capitoline Hill Campidoglio Standard Italian
Florence Firenze Standard Italian French name
Genoa Genova Standard Italian
Zêna Ligurian
Herculaneum Ercolano Standard Italian English uses different names for the ancient and modern places
Janiculum Gianicolo Standard Italian Latin name
Latium Lazio Standard Italian English uses different names for the ancient and modern places
Leghorn Livorno Standard Italian Obsolete
Lombardy Lombardéa Lombard French name
Lombardia Standard Italian
Mantua Mantua Lombard
Mantova Standard Italian
Milan Milan Lombard
Milano Standard Italian
Montferrat Monferrato Standard Italian French name
Monfrà Piedmontese
Naples Napoli Standard Italian French name
Napule Neapolitan
Padua Padova Standard Italian
Pàdova Venetian
Piedmont Piemont Piedmontese
Piemonte Standard Italian
Phlegraean Fields Campi Flegrei Standard Italian
Pompeii Pompei Standard Italian Latin name
Pontine Marshes Agro Pontino Standard Italian
Rome Roma Standard Italian French name
Rubicon River Rubicone Standard Italian
Sardinia Sardegna Standard Italian
Sicily Sicilia Standard Italian
Sicilian
Sienna Siena Standard Italian Obsolete
Syracuse Sarasusa Sicilian
Siracusa Standard Italian
The Marches Marche Standard Italian Obsolete
Tiber Tevere Standard Italian Latin name
Tuscany Toscana Standard Italian
Turin Torino Standard Italian
Turin Piedmontese
Trent Trento Standard Italian Dated
Trent Ladin and Lombard
Tyrol Tirolo Standard Italian
Venice Venesia Venetian French name
Venezia Standard Italian
Vesuvius Vesuvio Neapolitan
Standard Italian Latin name

Many English exonyms were derived from the French variations, such as Rome and Venice.

Japan

[edit]
 Japan Nihon, Nippon (日本)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bonin Islands Ogasawara Guntou (小笠原群島) Japanese
Iwo Jima Iou-tou (硫黄島) Japanese Alternative reading of endonym
Liancourt Rocks Takeshima (竹島) Japanese
Ryūkyū Islands Nansei-shotou (南西諸島) Japanese
Volcano Islands Kazan Rettou (火山列島) Japanese

The English name for Japan derives from the Portuguese name for the country, Japão, which was based on a Chinese transcription of Japan's endonym, Nippon or Nihon (日本).[16]

Laos

[edit]
 Laos Lāo (ລາວ)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Louangphabang Luang Prabang (ຫລວງພະບາງ) Lao Also spelled Luangphabang
Mekong River Maenam Khong (ແມ່ນ້ຳຂອງ) Lao
Savannakhet Kaysone Phomvihane (ໄກສອນ ພົມວິຫານ) Lao
Viangchan[17] Wīang chan (ວຽງຈັນ) Lao
Vientiane Lao from French
Wiangchan[18] Lao

An older variant of the country's name in English uses the definite article, the Laos, which is now obsolete.

Latvia

[edit]
 Latvia Latvija
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Courland Kurzeme Latvian
Lettgallia Latgale Latvian Dated
Semigallia Zemgale Latvian Dated

Lebanon

[edit]
 Lebanon Lubnān (لبنان)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Sidon Ṣaydā (صيدا) Standard Arabic
Tyre Ṣūr (صور) Standard Arabic
Tripoli Ṭarābulus (طرابلس) Standard Arabic

Libya

[edit]
 Libya Libiyā (ليبيا)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Cyrenaica Barqah (برقة) Standard Arabic
Fezzan Fezzan (ⴼⵣⵣⴰⵏ) Berber
Fizzān (فزان) Standard Arabic
Misrata Miṣrātah (مصراتة) Standard Arabic
Sirte Sirt (سرت) Standard Arabic
Tripoli Ṭrables Berber
Ṭarābulus (طرابلس) Standard Arabic
Ṭrābləs (طرابلس) Maghrebi Arabic
Tripolitania Ṭrables Berber
Ṭarābulus (طرابلس) Standard Arabic
Ṭrābləs (طرابلس) Maghrebi Arabic

Lithuania

[edit]
 Lithuania Lietuva
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Neman river Nemunas Lithuanian
Nieman river Nemunas Lithuanian Dated
Samogitia Žemaitija Lithuanian
Sudovia Sudūva Lithuanian
Yotvingia Dainava Lithuanian
Vilna or Wilna Vilnius Lithuanian Obsolete

Malaysia

[edit]
 Malaysia
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Malacca Melaka Malay
Penang Island Pulau Pinang Malay
Johore Johor Malay

Mexico

[edit]
 Mexico México
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Kino Bay Hermosillo Spanish
Rocky Point Puerto Peñasco Spanish Dated

Moldova

[edit]
 Moldova
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Kishinev Chişinău Romanian Obsolete

Mongolia

[edit]
 Mongolia Mongγol Ulus (Монгол Улc/ ᠮᠣᠩᠭᠣᠯ ᠤᠯᠤᠰ)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Gobi Desert Govi (Говь/ ᠭᠣᠪᠢ) Mongolian
Ulan Bator Ulaanbaatar (Улаанбаатар/ ᠤᠯᠠᠭᠠᠨᠪᠠᠭᠠᠲᠤᠷ) Mongolian Obsolete

Morocco

[edit]
 Morocco Al-Magrib (المغرب)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Casablanca Ad-Dār Al-Bayḍā' (الدار البيضاء) Standard Arabic
Kaza (كازا)[19] Moroccan Arabic Informal name for the city
Anfa (ⴰⵏⴼⴰ) Berber
Fez Fās (ⴼⴰⵙ) Berber
Fās (فاس) Standard Arabic
Marrakesh Murrākuš (مراكش) Standard Arabic
Tangier Ṭanja (ⵟⴰⵏⵊⴰ) Berber
Ṭanjah (طنجة) Standard Arabic

The English name for the country derives from the city name Marrakesh.[20] The Arabic name for the country, al-Magrib (المغرب), is Arabic for "the west".

Myanmar

[edit]
 Myanmar Myanma (မြန်မာ)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Mekong River Megaung Myit (မဲခေါင်မြစ်) Burmese
Naypyidaw Nay Pyi Taw (နေပြည်တော်) Burmese
Pagan Bagan (ပုဂံ) Burmese Dated
Rangoon Yangon (ရန်ကုန်မြို့) Burmese Dated
Ummerapoora Amarapura (အမရပူရ) Burmese Dated

Nepal

[edit]
   Nepal Nepāl (नेपाल)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Mount Everest Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा) Nepali

Netherlands

[edit]
 Netherlands Nederland
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Brill Brielle Dutch Obsolete
Dort Dordrecht Dutch Obsolete
Flushing Vlissingen Dutch Obsolete
Guelders Gelderland Dutch Dated
Hook of Holland Hoek van Holland Dutch
Leyden Leiden Dutch Dated
Meuse river Maas Dutch French name
Rhine river Rijn Dutch
Ryswick Rijswijk Dutch Obsolete
The Hague Den Haag Dutch

Norway

[edit]
 Norway Noreg, Norge
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bear Island Bjørnøya Norwegian Translation
North Cape Davvenjárgga Northern Sami
Nordkapp Norwegian
Slagen Valley Slagndarn Tunsbergian
Slagendalen Norwegian
The Southland Sørlandet

North Korea

[edit]

The inhabitants of North Korea prefer the official name of the country, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK),[21] Chosǒn, or simply Korea.

 North Korea Chosǒn (조선)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Diamond Mountain Kǔmkang-san (금강산) Korean English now uses rough transliteration Mount Kumgang
Paektu Mountain Paektu-san (백두산) Korean
Tumen River Tuman-kang (두만강) Korean Mandarin name, as the river borders China
Yalu River Amnok-kang (압록강) Korean Mandarin name, as the river borders China

Palestine

[edit]
 Palestine Filasṭīn (فلسطين)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bethlehem Beyt Laḥm (بيت لحم) Levantine Arabic
Bayta Laḥm (بيت لحم) Standard Arabic
Gaza City Ġazzah (غَزَّة) Standard Arabic
Hebron Al-Ḵalīl (الخليل) Standard Arabic
Jericho Arīḥā (أريحا) Standard Arabic
Jerusalem Al-Quds (القُدس) Standard Arabic Latin name
Jordan River Nahr al-Urdun (نهر الأردن) Standard Arabic

Philippines

[edit]
 Philippines Pilipinas
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Caloocan Kalookan Tagalog
Cebu Sugbo Cebuano
Davao Dabaw Cebuano
Manila Maynila Tagalog

Poland

[edit]
 Poland Polska
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Auschwitz Oświęcim Polish Dated, German name
Breslau Wrocław Polish Dated, German name
Carpathian Mountains Karpaty Polish
Cracow Kraków Polish
Danzig Gdańsk Polish Dated, German name
Galicia Galicja Polish
Giant Mountains Karkonosze Polish
Kashubia Kaszëbë Kashubian
Kaszuby Polish
Kuyavia Kujawy Polish
Mazovia Mazowsze Polish
Mazuria Mazury Polish
Oder river Odra Polish
Pomerania Pomorze Polish
Subcarpathia Podkarpacie Polish
Sudetes, Sudeten, Sudeten Mountains Sudety Polish
Silesia Śląsk Polish
Ślōnsk Silesian
Vistula river Wisła Polish
Warsaw Warszawa Polish

Portugal

[edit]
 Portugal
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Azores Açores Portuguese Spanish name
Braganza Bragança Portuguese Dated, Spanish name
Lisbon Lisboa Portuguese
Oporto Porto Portuguese Obsolete
Tagus river Tejo Portuguese Latin name

Romania

[edit]
 Romania România
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bucharest București Romanian
Carpathian Mountains Carpați Romanian
Danube River Dunărea Romanian
Jassy Iași[22] Romanian Obsolete
Northern Dobruja Dobrogea Romanian Romanian half of former Dobruja region
Transylvania Transilvania Romanian
Wallachia Țara Românească, Valahia Romanian

Russia

[edit]
 Russia Rossiya (Россия)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Archangel Arkhangelsk (Архангельск) Russian Dated
Black Sea Chernoje (Черное) Russian
Caucasus Kavkaz (Кавказ) Russian
Caspian Sea Kaspijskoje more (Каспийское море) Russian
Grozny Sölƶa-Ġala (Соьлжа-ГӀала) Chechen
Groznyj (Грозный) Russian
Moscow Moskva (Москва) Russian
Orel Oryol (Орёл) Russian Obsolete
Pacific Ocean Tikhiy okean (Тихий океан) Russian
Plescow Pskov (Псков) Russian Obsolete
Saint Petersburg Sankt-Peterburg (Санкт-Петербург) Russian
Siberia Sibir' (Сибирь) Russian

Saudi Arabia

[edit]
 Saudi Arabia As-Sa'ūdīyah (السعودية)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Arabian Sea Al-Baḥr al-'Arabī (البحر العربي) Standard Arabic
Empty Quarter Rub' al Khali (ٱلرُّبْع ٱلْخَالِي) Standard Arabic
Gulf of Aden Ḫalīǧ ʻAdan (خليج عدن) Standard Arabic
Jeddah Jiddah (جِدَّة) Standard Arabic
Mecca Makkah (مکة) Standard Arabic
Medina Al-Madīnah (المدينة) Standard Arabic
Persian Gulf Xalij-e fârs (خلیج فارس) Farsi
Al-Khalīj al-ˁArabī (اَلْخَلِيْجُ ٱلْعَرَبِيُّ) Standard Arabic
Red Sea Al-Baḥr al-ʾAḥmar (البحر الأحمر) Standard Arabic
Riyadh Er-Riyāḍ (الرياض) Najdi Arabic
Ar-Riyāḍ (الرياض) Standard Arabic

Serbia

[edit]
 Serbia Srbija (Србија)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Balkan Mountains Stara Planina (Стара Планина) Serbian
Belgrade Beograd (Београд) Serbian French name
Danube river Dunav (Дунав) Serbian

Slovakia

[edit]
 Slovakia Slovensko
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Carpathian Mountains Karpaty Slovak
Cassovia Košice Slovak Latin name
Danube river Dunaj Slovak
Gerlach Peak Gerlachovský štít Slovak
Maple Mountains Javorníky Slovak
Slovak Ore Mountains Slovenské rudohorie Slovak

Slovenia

[edit]
 Slovenia Slovenija
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Carinthia Koroška Slovene
Inner Carniola Notranjska Slovene
Karawanks Karavanke Slovene
Karst Kras Slovene
Lower Carniola Dolenjska Slovene
Slovene Littoral Primorska Slovene
Styria Štajerska Slovene
Upper Carniola Gorenjska Slovene

Somalia

[edit]
 Somalia Soomaaliya
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Baidoa Baydhabo Somali
Chisimaio Kismaayo Somali Obsolete
Mogadishu Muqdisho Somali
Villabruzzi Jowhaar Somali Dated

South Africa

[edit]

Many South African towns have multiple names due to the number of languages. Additionally, some places have been renamed from English and Afrikaans.

 South Africa
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Aliwal North Maletswai Sotho
Cape Town ǁHui!gaeb Khoekhoe
Kaapstad Afrikaans
iKapa Xhosa
Fish Hoek Vishoek Afrikaans
Grahamstown Grahamstad Afrikaans Dated in Afrikaans and English
iRhini Xhosa
Makhanda iRhini Xhosa
Queenstown Komani Sotho
Simon's Town Simonstad Afrikaans

South Korea

[edit]
 South Korea Hanguk (한국)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Liancourt Rocks Dokdo (독도) Korean
Port Hamilton Geomundo (거문도) Korean
Pusan Busan (부산시) Korean Dated
Quelpart Jeju (제주도) Korean Obsolete

Spain

[edit]

English uses Spanish-language exonyms for some places in non-Spanish speaking regions of Spain.

 Spain España
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Andalusia Andalucía Spanish
Basque Country País Vasco Spanish
Euskadi Basque
Biscay Bizkaia Basque
Vizcaya Spanish
Castile Castilla Spanish
Catalonia Catalunya Catalan Latin name
Corunna A Coruña Galician Obsolete
Douro Duero Spanish Portuguese name
Majorca Mallorca Catalan Dated
Minorca Menorca Catalan Dated
Navarre Nafarroa Basque
Pampeluna Pamplona Spanish Dated
Saragossa Zaragoza Spanish Dated
Seville Sevilla Spanish
Tagus Tajo Spanish Latin name
Teneriffe Tenerife Spanish Obsolete, French name
The Groyne A Coruña Galician Obsolete
Vittoria Vitoria-Gasteiz Compound of the Spanish and Basque names (often used separately) Dated
Vitorixe Basque form of Spanish name

Sri Lanka

[edit]

Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon in English until 1972.

 Sri Lanka Shri Lanka (ශ්‍රී ලංකා)/ Ilaṅkai (இலங்கை)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Adam's Peak Civaṉoḷipātam (சிவனொளிபாதம்)

Civaṉaṭipātam (சிவனடிபாதம்)

Tamil
Śrī Pāda (ශ්‍රී පාද) Sinhala
Batticaloa Maṭṭakkaḷappu (மட்டக்களப்பு) Tamil
Madakalapuwa (මඩකලපුව) Sinhala
Chilaw Cilāpam (சிலாபம்) Tamil
Halawta (හලාවත) Sinhala
Colombo Kolamba (කොළඹ) Sinhala
Kolumpu (கொழும்பு) Tamil
Delft Neṭuntīvu (நெடுந்தீவு) Tamil
Ḍelfṭ (ඩෙල්ෆ්ට්) Sinhala
Galle Galla (ගාල්ල) Sinhala
Kāli (காலி) Tamil
Jaffna Yāḻppāṇam (யாழ்ப்பாணம்) Tamil
Yāpanaya (යාපනය) Sinhala
Kandy Kaṇṭi (கண்டி) Tamil
Mahanuwara (මහනුවර) Sinhala
Kayts Ūrkāvaṟtuṟai (ஊர்காவற்துறை) Tamil
Kayiṭs (කයිට්ස්) Sinhala
Mutwal Modara (මෝදර) Sinhala
Mukattuvāram (முகத்துவாரம்) Tamil
Negombo Meegumuwa (මීගමුව) Sinhala
Nirkolompu (நீர்கொழும்பு) Tamil
Point Pedro Paruttittuṟai (பருத்தித்துறை) Tamil
Pēduru Tuḍuva (පේදුරු තුඩුව) Sinhala
Trincomalee Tirukōṇamalai (திருகோணமலை) Tamil
Thrikunamalaya (ත්‍රිකුණාමළය) Sinhala

Sudan

[edit]
 Sudan As-Sūdān (السودان)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Khartoum Al-Ḵurṭūm (الخَرطوم) Standard Arabic
El-Ḵortūm (الخَرطوم) Sudanese Arabic
Nile River An-Nīl (النيل) Standard Arabic
En-Nīl (النيل) Sudanese Arabic
Omdurman Omm Dormān (أُم درمان) Sudanese Arabic
Umm Durmān (أُم درمان) Standard Arabic
Port Sudan Burtusudan (بورتسودان) Standard Arabic
Bar'uut Beja

Sweden

[edit]
 Sweden Sverige
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Dalecarlia Dalarna Elfdalian Latin name; Swedish name also used
Swedish
Gothenburg Göteborg Swedish
North Bothnia Norrbotten Swedish Swedish name also used
Scania Skåne Swedish Latin name
The Dales Dalarna Elfdalian Obsolete; translation of Swedish name
Swedish
West Bothnia Västerbotten Swedish Swedish name also used in English

Switzerland

[edit]

Historically, English-language sources borrowed French-language names for some places in German-speaking Switzerland. This is no longer done, and many sources now use German names for most Swiss German-speaking places.[23]

  Switzerland Schweiz/ Suisse/ Svizzera/ Svizra
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Basle Basel Standard German Obsolete
Berne Bern Standard German Obsolete
Geneva Genève French
Genf Standard German
Lucerne Luzern Standard German
Rhine River Rhein Standard German
Valais Wallis Standard German

Syria

[edit]
 Syria Sūrīyah (سورية)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Aleppo Ḥalab (حَلَب) Standard Arabic
Levantine Arabic
Damascus Dimašq (دِمَشْق) Standard Arabic
Dimaš' (دِمَشْق) Levantine Arabic
Euphrates River Al-Furat (الفرات) Standard Arabic
Homs Ḥimṣ (حِمْص) Standard Arabic
Ḥumṣ (حُمْص) Levantine Arabic
Palmyra Tadmur (تَدْمُر) Standard Arabic
Levantine Arabic
Latakia Al-Lāḏiqīyah (اللاذقية) Standard Arabic
El-Lādi'iyyeh (اللاذقية) Levantine Arabic

Thailand

[edit]

Thailand was known as Siam in English until the Siamese revolution of 1932.

 Thailand Prathet Thai (ประเทศไทย)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Bangkok Krung Thep (กรุงเทพ) Thai Bangkok was the name of a village built on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river before it grew and became the new capital of Siam, after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767.[24] The city is called Krung Thep among Thai citizens, but Bangkok among non-Thai citizens. The Thai government has attempted to change the official English name to Krung Thep, but the unofficial name of Bangkok remains in common use.
Junk Ceylon Phuket (ภูเก็ต) Thai Obsolete; a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang
Kanburi Kanchanaburi (กาญจนบุรี) Thai Obsolete
Mekong River Maenam Khong (แม่น้ำโขง) Thai
Menam Maenam Chao Praya (แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา) Thai Obsolete
Odia Ayutthaya (อยุธยา) Thai Obsolete
Singora Songkhla (สงขลา) Thai Obsolete
Zimme Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่) Thai Obsolete

Taiwan

[edit]

The main island of Taiwan is also known in English as Formosa. All Chinese names below are written in traditional characters. As mentioned above in the China section, many place names in Taiwan use either pinyin or Wade-Giles.

 Taiwan (臺灣)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Pehoe Phîⁿ-ô͘ Hokkien
Penghu (澎湖) Mandarin Obsolete, from Min Nan name Phênô
Pescadores Phîⁿ-ô͘ Hokkien
Penghu (澎湖) Mandarin Dated, Portuguese name
Quemoy Kimoi Hokkien
Kinmen (金門) Mandarin Possibly a Spanish or Portuguese transcription of the Zhengzhou Hokkien name for the city, Kim-mûi[25]

Tunisia

[edit]
 Tunisia Tūnis (تونس)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Gabès Gābes (قابس) Maghrebi Arabic Pronounced similar to English name
Qābis (قابس) Standard Arabic
Sfax Sifaks (ⵙⵉⴼⴰⴽⵙ) Berber
Ṣfāqes (صفاقس) Maghrebi Arabic
Ṣafaqus (صفاقس) Standard Arabic
Sousse Susa Berber
Sūseh (سوسة) Maghrebi Arabic
Sūsah (سوسة) Standard Arabic

Turkey

[edit]
 Turkey Türkiye
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Adalia Antalya Turkish Dated
Adrianople Edirne Turkish Dated
Alexandretta İskenderun Turkish Dated
Anemurium Anamur Turkish Dated
Antioch Antakya Turkish Dated
Bosphorus Boǧaziçi Turkish
Byzantium İstanbul Turkish Obsolete
Caeserea Kayseri Turkish Dated
Cappadocia Kapadokya Turkish
Claudiopolis Mut Turkish Dated
Constantinople İstanbul Turkish Dated
Dardanelles Çanakkale Boǧazı Turkish
Edessa (Sanlı)urfa Turkish Dated
Ephesus Efes Turkish Dated
Euphrates River Fırat Turkish
Gallipoli Gelibolu Turkish Dated
Halicarnassus Bodrum Turkish Dated
Heraclea Pontica Karadeniz Ereǧli Turkish Dated
Iconium Konya Turkish Dated
Imbros Gökçeada Turkish Greek name
Istanbul İstanbul Turkish Some consider Istanbul to be an English exonym of İstanbul.[26]

Normally spelled without İ in English, even in sources which would otherwise use it.[27]

Kerasous Giresun Turkish Dated
Laranda Karaman Turkish Dated
Magnesia ad Sipylum Manisa Turkish Dated
Nicaea Iznik Turkish Dated
Nicomedia Izmit Turkish Dated
Pergamon Bergama Turkish Dated
Philadelphia Alaşehir Turkish Dated
Prusa Bursa Turkish Dated
Scutari Üsküdar Turkish Dated[28]
Seleucia Silifke Turkish Dated
Smyrna İzmir Turkish Dated
Tenedos Bozcaada Turkish Greek name
Thrace Trakya Turkish
Tigris River Dicle Turkish
Tralles Aydın Turkish Dated
Trebizond Trabzon Turkish Dated

In June 2022, the United Nations agreed to change the country's official name in English as Türkiye at the request of the Turkish government.[29] However, the majority of English speakers still refer to the country as Turkey in daily use.

Ukraine

[edit]
 Ukraine Ukrayina (Україна)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Black Sea Chorne (Чорне) Ukrainian
Carpathian Ruthenia Karpatska Rus' (Карпатська Русь) Ukrainian Historic region
Carpathian Ukraine Karpatska Ukrayina (Карпатська Україна) Ukrainian Historic region
Chernobyl Chornobyl (Чорнобиль) Ukrainian Russian name
Crimea Krym (Крим) Ukrainian Region claimed by Russia, but many nations do not recognize it as part of Russia[30]
Danube River Dunai (Дунай) Ukrainian
Galicia Halychyna (Галичина) Ukrainian Historic region
Gorlovka Horlivka (Горлівка) Ukrainian Archaic, Russian name
Kharkov Kharkiv (Харків) Ukrainian Archaic, Russian name
Kiev Kyiv (Київ) Ukrainian Russian name; though the Russian endonym Kiev prevailed after the Soviet Union ended in 1991, in the late 2010s media outlets and governments began using Kyiv at the request of the Ukrainian government.
Krivoy Rog Kryvyi Rih (Кривиі Ріг) Ukrainian Archaic, Russian name
Podolia Podillia (Поділля) Ukrainian Historic region
Subcarpathia Pidkarpattia (Підкарпаття) Ukrainian Historic region
Subcarpathian Ruthenia, Subcarpathian Rus Pidkarpatska Rus' (Підкарпатська Русь) Ukrainian Historic region
Transcarpathia Zakarpattia (Закарпаття) Ukrainian
Transcarpathian Ukraine Zakarpatska Ukrayina (Закарпатська Україна) Ukrainian
Volhynia Volyn' (Волинь) Ukrainian Historic region

United Kingdom

[edit]

The places listed are where non-English local languages are mainly used or where the non-English names do not regularly correspond to the English one.

 United Kingdom
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Aberdovey Aberdyfi Welsh Dated
Abergavenny Y Fenni Welsh
Achmore An t-Acha Mòr Scottish Gaelic
Aird of Sleat Àird Shlèite Scottish Gaelic
Alexandria Magh Leamhna Scottish Gaelic
Ammanford Rhydaman Welsh
Anglesey Ynys Môn Welsh
Applecross A'Chomraich Scottish Gaelic
Ardvasar Àird a Bhàsair Scottish Gaelic
Arinagour Àirigh na Gobhar Scottish Gaelic
Bala Lake Llyn Tegid Welsh
Balivanich Baile a Mhanaich Scottish Gaelic
Ballygrant Baile a Ghràna Scottish Gaelic
Bardsey Island Ynys Enlli Welsh
Barmouth Abermaw or
Y Bermo
Welsh
Barra Barraigh Scottish Gaelic
Barvas Barabhas Scottish Gaelic
Bayble Pabail Scottish Gaelic
Bearsden Cille Phàdraig Ùr Scottish Gaelic Formerly Kilpatrick
Beauly A'Mhanachainn Scottish Gaelic
Beaumaris Biwmaris Welsh
Benbecula Beinn na Fadhla Scottish Gaelic
Bernisdale Beàrnasdal Scottish Gaelic
Bishopbriggs Coille Dobhair Scottish Gaelic Formerly Cadder
Bonvilston Tresimwn Welsh
Borrowstounness (Bo'ness) Ceann an Fhàil Scottish Gaelic Formerly Kinneil
Bowmore Bogh Mòr Scottish Gaelic
Bracadale Bracadal Scottish Gaelic
Brecknockshire
nowadays usually Breconshire
Brycheiniog Welsh
Brecon Aberhonddu Welsh
Brecon Beacons Bannau Brycheiniog Welsh
Bridgend (Scotland) Beul an Àtha Scottish Gaelic
Bridgend (Wales) Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr Welsh
Breasclete Breascleit Scottish Gaelic
Broadford An t-Àth Leathann Scottish Gaelic
Buckley Bwcle Welsh
Builth Wells Llanfair-ym-Muallt Welsh
Caerleon Caerllion Welsh
Ca(e)rnavon Caernarfon Welsh Dated
Cairngorms Am Monadh Ruadh Scottish Gaelic
Cairnryan Machair An Sgithich,
Cairn Rioghainne
Scottish Gaelic
Callinish Calanais Scottish Gaelic
Caldey Island Ynys Bŷr Welsh
Calgary Calgarraidh Scottish Gaelic
Camastianavaig Camas Dìonabhaig Scottish Gaelic
Campbeltown Ceann Loch Chille Chiaran Scottish Gaelic
Cardiff Caerdydd Welsh
Cardigan Aberteifi Welsh
Carinish Càirinis Scottish Gaelic
Carloway Càrlabhag Scottish Gaelic
Carmarthen Caerfyrddin Welsh
Castlebay Bàgh a Chaisteal Scottish Gaelic
Cardiganshire Ceredigion Welsh Dated
Chepstow Cas-gwent Welsh
Chirk Y Waun Welsh
Cleadale Clèadail Scottish Gaelic
Coll Cola Scottish Gaelic
Colonsay Colbhasa Scottish Gaelic
Conway Conwy Welsh Dated
Cowbridge Y Bont-faen Welsh
Craighouse Taigh na Creige Scottish Gaelic
Craignure Craig an Iobhar Scottish Gaelic
Daliburgh Dalabrog Scottish Gaelic
Denbigh Dinbych Welsh
Devil's Bridge Pontarfynach Welsh
Dingwall Inbhir Pheofharain Scottish Gaelic
Dolgelley Dolgellau Welsh Dated
Dufftown Baile Bhainidh Scottish Gaelic
Dunvegan Dùn Bheagain Scottish Gaelic
Ebbw Vale Glyn Ebwy Welsh
Edinbane An t-Aodann Bàn Scottish Gaelic
Eigg Eige Scottish Gaelic
Elgol Ealaghol Scottish Gaelic
Eriskay Èirisgeigh Scottish Gaelic
Fishguard Abergwaun Welsh
Flint Y Fflint Welsh
Flowerdale Am Baile Mòr Scottish Gaelic
Fort Augustus Cille Chuimein Scottish Gaelic Formerly Kilwhimin
Fort William An Gearasdan Scottish Gaelic
Fortrose A' Chananaich Scottish Gaelic
Glamorgan Morgannwg Welsh
Goodwick Wdig Welsh
Gower Peninsula Gŵyr Welsh
Great Orme Y Gogarth Welsh
Harlosh Hèarrlois Scottish Gaelic
Harris Na Hearadh Scottish Gaelic
Haverfordwest Hwlffordd Welsh
Hawarden Penarlâg Welsh
Hay-on-Wye Y Gelli Gandryll
informally
Y Gelli
Welsh
Holyhead Caergybi Welsh
Holywell Treffynnon Welsh
Holywood, Dumfriesshire Doire Chonaill Scottish Gaelic Formerly Dercongal
Howmore Tobha Mòr Scottish Gaelic
Iona Ì Chaluim Chille Scottish Gaelic
Islay Ìle Scottish Gaelic
Isle of Lewis Leodhas Scottish Gaelic
Isle of Mull Muile Scottish Gaelic
Isle of Skye Sgitheneach Scottish Gaelic
Isleornsay Eilean Iarmain Scottish Gaelic
Jura Diùra Scottish Gaelic
Kincardineshire A' Mhaorainn Scottish Gaelic Sometimes called The Mearns
Knighton Tref-y-clawdd Welsh
Kyleakin Caol Àcain Scottish Gaelic
Kylerhea Caol Reatha Scottish Gaelic
Lampeter Llanbedr Pont Steffan Welsh
Laurencekirk Coinmheadh Scottish Gaelic Formerly Conveth
Laxdale Lacadal Scottish Gaelic
Leurbost Liùrbost Scottish Gaelic
Leverburgh An t-Òbh Scottish Gaelic Formerly Obbe
Linlithgow Gleann Iucha Scottish Gaelic
Llandovery Llanymddyfri Welsh
Llantwit Major Llanilltud Fawr Welsh
Lochboisdale Loch Baghasdail Scottish Gaelic
Lochmaddy Loch nam Madadh Scottish Gaelic
Lochnagar Beinn Chìochan Scottish Gaelic
Menai Bridge Porthaethwy Welsh
Menai Strait Afon Menai Welsh Welsh name means "River Menai"
Merionethshire Meirionydd Welsh
Milford Haven Aberdaugleddau Welsh
Milovaig Miolabhaig Scottish Gaelic
Mold Yr Wyddgrug Welsh
Monmouth Trefynwy Welsh
Monmouthshire Sir Fynwy Welsh
Montgomeryshire Trefaldwyn Welsh
Mountain Ash Aberpennar Welsh
Muck Muc Scottish Gaelic
Neath Castell-nedd Welsh
Newbridge Trecelyn Welsh
Newport Casnewydd Welsh
Newtonferry Port nan Long Scottish Gaelic
Newtown Y Drenewydd Welsh
Northop Llaneurgain Welsh
Orsay Orasaigh Scottish Gaelic
Pembrokeshire Penfro Welsh
Pont Neath Vaughan Pontneddfechan Welsh Dated
Port Askaig Port Asgaig Scottish Gaelic
Port Charlotte Port Sgioba Scottish Gaelic
Port Dinorwic Y Felinheli Welsh Dated
Port Ellen Port Ìlain Scottish Gaelic
Port of Ness Port Nis Scottish Gaelic
Portmadoc Porthmadog Welsh Dated
Portnaguran Port nan Giùran Scottish Gaelic
Portnahaven Port na-hAbhainn Scottish Gaelic
Portree Port Righ Scottish Gaelic
Presteigne Llanadras Welsh
Puffin Island Ynys Seiriol Welsh
Raasay Ratharsair Scottish Gaelic
Radnor; Radnorshire Maesyfed; Sir Maesyfed Welsh
Rhymney Rhymni Welsh
River Forth An Abhainn Dubh Scottish Gaelic
River Severn Hafren Welsh
River Towy Afon Tywi Welsh
River Usk Afon Wysg Welsh
River Wye Afon Gwy Welsh
Rodel Roghadal Scottish Gaelic
Rothesay Baile Bhòid Scottish Gaelic
Saint Asaph Llanelwy Welsh
Saint David's Tyddewi Welsh
Saint Kilda Hiort Scottish Gaelic Main island called Hirta
Salen An t-Sàilean Scottish Gaelic
Scalpay Sgalpaigh Scottish Gaelic
Scarinish Sgarainis Scottish Gaelic
Scotland Alba Scottish Gaelic
Skigersta Sgiogarstaigh Scottish Gaelic
Snowdon Yr Wyddfa Welsh
Snowdonia Eryri Welsh
Soay Sòdhaigh Scottish Gaelic
South Queensferry Cas Chaolais Scottish Gaelic Formerly Caschillis
Staffa Stafa Scottish Gaelic
Stein Steinn Scottish Gaelic
Stoneybridge Staoinebrig Scottish Gaelic
Stornoway Steòrnabhagh Scottish Gaelic
Swansea Abertawe Welsh
Tain Baile Dubhthaich Scottish Gaelic
Tarbert Tairbeart Scottish Gaelic
Tarskavaig Tarsgabhaig Scottish Gaelic
Tenby Dynbich-y-pysgod Welsh
The Cobbler Beinn Artair Scottish Gaelic Also called Ben Arthur
Tigharry Taigh a'Gherraidh Scottish Gaelic
Tintern Dindyrn Welsh
Tiree Tiriodh Scottish Gaelic
Tobermory Tobar Mhoire Scottish Gaelic
Torrin Na Torrain Scottish Gaelic
Troon An Truthail Scottish Gaelic
Towyn Tywyn Welsh Dated
Uist Uibhist Scottish Gaelic
Ulva Ulbha Scottish Gaelic
Usk Brynbuga Welsh
Vale of Glamorgan Bro Morgannwg Welsh
Vatersay Bhatarsaigh Scottish Gaelic
Wishaw Camasneachdain Scottish Gaelic
Wales Cymru Welsh
Welshpool Y Trallwng Welsh
Whitland Hendy-gwyn Welsh
Wrexham Wrecsam Welsh

United States

[edit]

Several places in the United States have additional names in various Native languages.

 United States
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Allegheny River Ohi:'i:o Seneca
Mount McKinley Denali Koyukon See Denali-Mount McKinley naming dispute
Mount Rainier Tacoma Salish
Red House Joë'hesta Seneca

Vietnam

[edit]

All cities and towns are often spelled without diacritics; names without them are not listed here.

 Vietnam Việt Nam
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Annamite Range Dãy Trường Sơn Vietnamese
Black River Sông Đà Vietnamese
Faifo[31] Hội An Vietnamese Obsolete
Fansipan Phan Xi Păng Vietnamese
Ha Long Bay Vịnh Hạ Long Vietnamese
Ho Chi Minh City Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh Vietnamese
Marble Mountains Ngũ Hành Sơn Vietnamese Vietnamese name means "Five Elements Mountains"
Mekong River Sông Mê Kông / Sông Cửu Long Vietnamese
Perfume River Sông Hương Vietnamese Vietnamese name means "Fragrant River"
Red River Sông Hồng Vietnamese
West Lake Hồ Tây Vietnamese

Yemen

[edit]
 Yemen al-Yaman (ٱلْيَمَنْ)
English name Endonym Notes
Name Language
Socotra Suquṭrā (سُقُطْرَىٰ) Standard Arabic
Saqatri (ساقطري) Soqotri

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Peeter Päll, Estonia, "Do Romanization Systems Create Exonyms?" UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Working Group on Romanization Systems (2002)
  2. ^ Exonyms and the International Standardisation of Geographical Names Peter Jordan, Milan Orožen Adamič, Paul Woodman - 2007- Page 16 "2.2.11 This brings us on to the question of romanization. Does the application of a romanization system turn an endonym into an exonym? In his GeoNames 2000 paper Do Romanization Systems Create Exonyms?, Peeter Päll argued convincingly.."
  3. ^ M. B. Hooker Laws of South-East Asia: The pre-modern texts 1986 - Page 23 "Place names such as Rangoon, Mandalay, Pegu and Moulmein have been left in the English form which is familiar to the non-Burmese reader. Personal names also have been left in the old romanization which seems to be familiar to.."
  4. ^ "algeria | Search Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Utrata Fachwörterbuch: Geographie - Englisch-Deutsch/Deutsch-Englisch by Jürgen Utrata (2014). Retrieved 10 Apr 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Worsch, Wolfgang (2004). Langenscheidt Muret-Sanders Großwörterbuch, Teil II, Deutsch-Englisch , Langenscheidt KG, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, New York, pp. 1269-1272. ISBN 3-468-02126-7.
  7. ^ Willemyns, Roland. Dutch: Biography of a Language. Oxford University Press. 2013.
  8. ^ "Tierra del Fuego Province (Argentina)". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  9. ^ Kaske, Elisabeth (2008). "The Politics of Language in Chinese Education". Brill. p. 52. ISBN 978-9004163676.
  10. ^ Man, Bosat (June 1990). "Backhill/Peking/Beijing" (PDF). Sino-Platonic Papers (19): 5.
  11. ^ Chew, Phillis Ghim-Lian (2013). Emergent Lingua Francas and World Orders: The Politics and Place of English as a World Language. Routledge. p. 254. ISBN 978-1135235567.
  12. ^ Forêt, Philippe (2000). Mapping Chengde: The Qing Landscape Enterprise. University of Hawaii Press. p. xv. ISBN 9780824822934.
  13. ^ Webb, Adrian. The Routledge Companion to Central and Eastern Europe since 1919. 2008.
  14. ^ "egypt | Search Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  15. ^ Dorit Diskin Ravid Spelling Morphology 2012- Page 10 "For example, in the Hebraist tradition, current v would be transcribed as either w or b following Hebrew graphemes – so that official place names on road signs in Israel can be quite misleading to non-Hebrew readers traveling around Israel."
  16. ^ "Why is Japan called Japan?". www.jluggage.com. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  17. ^ "Viangchan definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary". www.collinsdictionary.com. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  18. ^ "Wiang Chan". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  19. ^ "Casablanca: Attractive places in the biggest city of morocco". Friendly Morocco. 2017-06-21. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  20. ^ "morocco | Etymology, origin and meaning of morocco by etymonline". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  21. ^ York, Rob (2014-02-07). "Why is North Korea called the DPRK? | NK News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  22. ^ Robert D. Kaplan. Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History. 1993. (Picador, 2014.) p. 119. ISBN 9781466868304
  23. ^ Bewes, Diccon. Swiss Watching: Inside the Land of Milk and Honey. p.vii. 2012.
  24. ^ "Bangkok | Location, History, Population, Map, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  25. ^ "The word Quemoy has existed for about 400 years" (PDF). 2013-04-29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  26. ^ Exonyms and the International Standardisation of Geographical Names: Approaches towards the Resolution of an Apparent Contradiction Peter Jordan, Milan Orožen Adamič, Paul Woodman, Vienna 2007 Page 210 [lists Istanbul, as an English exonym of İstanbul. Istanbul appears to be the only English exonym listed for any Turkish city].
  27. ^ Lonely Planet Turkey ed. Verity Campbell 2007 Page 233 "There are also flights between İzmir and Europe on various European airlines (see p672). With the launch of İzmir Airlines, direct flights to Europe will greatly increase, and İzmir is billed to become one of Turkey's biggest hubs." and Page 291 "Original İznik tiles are antiquities and cannot be exported from Turkey, but new tiles make great, if not particularly cheap, souvenirs."
  28. ^ James Steele (1990). Turkey - A Traveller's Historical and Architectural Guide. Scorpion. pp. 161–162. ISBN 0-905906-72-1.
  29. ^ Carter, Phillip M. (2023-02-16). "Why does Turkey want other countries to start spelling its name 'Türkiye'?". The Conversation. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  30. ^ "General Assembly Adopts Resolution Urging Russian Federation to Withdraw Its Armed Forces from Crimea, Expressing Grave Concern about Rising Military Presence | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". www.un.org. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  31. ^ Jean-Pierre Duteil Alexandre de Rhodes' Histoire du royaume du Tonkin 1999 Page 37 "Tourane se développe aux dépends de Faifo à la fin du XVIfle siècle, et l'éclipsé à peu près complètement au XTXe. "Faifo" doit son nom au "marché" (phô) de Hôi an (Hôi-an phô). "Tourane" correspondrait à la pronunciation chinoise de .."