Every Creek Deserves a Name. Name Yours!
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) establishes and maintains geographic names in the United States. Any person or organization – public or private – may submit an online proposal to the board requesting that a stream be given a name.
To propose a stream name, go to the Board’s website. You will be asked to log in with a public username and password:
USERNAME: dgnpguest
PASSWORD: dgnpguest
The BGN notes that to present a proposal you will need:
- to be prepared to describe the feature;
- have a specific reason for proposing to name an unnamed feature or to change an existing official name;
- the specific meaning of the name or the history of its origin;
- and if a name is commemorative,
- provide the full name of the intended honoree, as well as birth and death dates,
- biographical details,
- and evidence of association with the feature.
Amongst other stipulations, the BGN notes that:
- The Board will not consider names that commemorate or may be construed to commemorate living persons or persons deceased for less than 5 years.
- A geographic names proposal, once submitted, is public information and can be requested and seen by anyone.
Alright, Cumberlandians! Let’s get our streams named! Login to the Board of Geographic Name’s website.