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About the BC Geographical Names Office
The BC Geographical Names Office (BCGNO) is responsible for naming geographical features and managing all official place names in the province of British Columbia. As part of Heritage Branch, the BCGNO maintains the list of all past and present official names in British Columbia, which are fundamental to the official base map of British Columbia, and manages name changes of natural features (land forms and waterways). Prior to 1980, these decisions were made at the federal level.
Geographical names are essential for communication and navigation but also represent much more. They reflect the values of communities or decision makers at the times the names were created and continue to influence how we view, understand, interact with, and remember places and their histories.
British Columbia includes many diverse cultures from First Nations and settler communities; embracing our diversity through place names helps protect our culture and heritage and gives all British Columbians and our visitors a better awareness of where we live. Learning more about First Nations and other place names in your area can deepen your understanding of the history and significance of a place.
The BCGNO is responsible for naming features such as lakes, rivers, mountains, islands and bays. The jurisdiction of the office also includes unincorporated inhabited areas such as present and past communities or settlements.
Other jurisdictions are responsible for naming highways, bridges and other types of legally defined areas such as municipalities, parks and protected areas. Local and regional governments maintain naming authority over infrastructure within their boundaries such as streets and plazas, and municipal parks (but not the geographical features within those parks).
BC Geographical Names Information System (BCGNIS) is the authoritative database for place names in British Columbia and is the reference source for all official maps and charts created nationally or internationally. This multi-component system is accessed by approximately three million users per year.
BCGNIS contains the master database of B.C. place names and holds approximately 50,000 current and former B.C. names. Brief notes about provenance and significance accompany approximately 50% of the place name records. All names and location details are searchable on this database. Origin notes are added when available, on an ongoing basis. There are different ways to use the map to make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for.
To search for a B.C. geographical name:
“Name record” is a term used to refer to the official adoption document of a name. For example, when you open up a name by selecting “more information” that action opens the name record. Name records are established by comparing decision records, correspondence, maps, and other relevant documents to the history of a name that led to it being made official. The decisions are made public through the “origin notes” feature of the BCGNO database. Origin notes are updated to reflect the history of a name (they may include its origin, adoption, potential other names used, and more). Some name records even have audio files to help with pronunciation.
The Gazetteer of British Columbia is a listing of all 41,000+ official geographical names in the province, extracted from the BC Geographical Names Information System. For many years Gazetteers were published annually, but now the Gazetteer is regularly updated and its information can be downloaded, used, and shared. Gazetteers can be used to confirm if a name is official, check the spelling, confirm the details of a feature (for example, the mouth of a creek), and more.
The Gazetteer is downloadable free of charge.
Download the Gazetteer
Using the BC Geographical Names Web App
Content Advisory: Some place names and name records in the BC Geographical Names Web App contain historical terminology that may be considered racist, offensive, or derogatory. The BC Geographical Names Office is actively working to address these concerns, and this process is ongoing.
The BC Geographical Names Web App is a map-based application that allows users to search past and present official place names, along with other recorded names in the BC Geographical Names Information System (BCGNIS). Search results are linked to name records, that may include:
There are multiple ways to search for geographical names within the web app. Search types are listed in the drop-down Search menu on the web app:
By Place Name
Search for a specific name using text input. An asterisk (*) can be used as a wildcard in your searches.
By Language
British Columbia is home to diverse First Nations and settler communities who speak a wide array of languages. Find place names rooted in various languages, language families, or dialects using the language search feature.
Location-Based Searches
Other Search Methods
Filtering Search Results
Search results can be refined using various filters:
Name Records
Once a name is found, click “More Information” in the name pop-up to see more details. Name records may include:
First Nations Place Names
For millennia, First Nations in British Columbia have named the lands and waters in accordance with their naming conventions. Their names often highlight the significance of place, such as important resources available, historical events that occurred, transportation routes, or cultural activities practiced in the area.
Names serve as significant tools for passing down important knowledge from generation-to-generation. Learning First Nations names and where they come from can help everyone better understand the deep history and original languages of what we now call British Columbia.
B.C. is home to 35 Indigenous languages and over 90 dialects from several different Nations with overlapping territories. It is the most linguistically diverse province in Canada. Across the world, regions with diverse languages and cultures often have multiple names for geographical features; similarly, in British Columbia, many places have two or more names in distinct First Nations languages.
First Nations names were well-established long before European contact but were mostly disregarded and overwritten during colonization and throughout the history of official naming. Canada also implemented several colonial policies intended to disrupt Indigenous cultures and the transmission of Indigenous knowledge, which has impacted the retention of some First Nations names.
The Province is now committed to working with First Nations governments and organizations to better recognize their naming conventions, languages, and writing systems. This work supports the revitalization of First Nations histories, languages, and cultures that have been adversely impacted by colonialism. Indigenous peoples' right to name places is specifically mentioned in Article 13 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
To help everyone learn First Nations names, pronunciation tools (audio and/or simple text keys) are available on the BC Geographical Names Web App. Name records may also contain details on the origin or significance of the name and place in the Origin Notes and History section. Refer to the Indigenous Tag and BC Geographical Names Web App sections for more information on finding names on our app.
Explore these other resources to learn more about First Nations and Indigenous Place Names.
Indigenous Tag
Indigenous place names have existed for thousands of years, reflecting deep connections to land, water, and community. Colonial mapping practices often disregarded these names, replacing them with new colonial names or interpretations of First Nations names that did not always reflect their original meaning. The Indigenous tag is for all place names, official and recorded, in the BC Geographical Names Information System (BCGNIS) with origins from any Indigenous language (words, terms, place names) or connection to Indigenous people or histories.
Most names with the Indigenous tag come from First Nations languages spoken in B.C. long before European exploration and colonialism. There are also some names with this tag that derive from other Indigenous languages, cultures, or people; for instance, Skookumchuck Narrows is derived from Chinook Jargon, and Calliou Creek commemorates a Metis person.
Indigenous tagged names can be accessed through the BC Geographical Names Web App, by searching Tagged Place Names and selecting "Indigenous". You can filter search results in the Web App by selecting "More options". To see tagged names in a specific area, you can select the "Limit to current map area" checkbox, under "More options", to limit results to the map area, or use location-based searches (Near me, Near a point, In the current map area) and then filter results by tag. The dataset of the names with this tag is also available on the BC Data Catalogue.
Many other geographical names in BCGNIS likely have Indigenous origins, but they may not have been tagged due to gaps in historical records. There are also countless First Nations names in B.C. that are not in the BCGNIS.
Names with Indigenous origins are used daily (Haida Gwaii, Nanaimo, Sechelt, Coquihalla), sometimes by people who are unaware of where the names come from or that they are using an Indigenous name. Several official names in B.C. derive from Indigenous place names or words that were interpreted and recorded by early European settlers and may not accurately represent the original language. Where available, recorded information on the origin or significance of names in the BCGNIS can be found on the respective online name records, accessible through the BC Geographical Names Web App. The Province now works in partnership with First Nations to record and officially recognize their names in the orthographies (or writing systems) that properly represent their languages.
The Indigenous tag encompasses a range of names, each with a distinct history. Below are categories of names included in the tag, reflecting different naming practices.
First Nations names:
Submitted directly from First Nations governments and communities in their preferred orthographies. For thousands of years First Nations in B.C. named the lands and waters in accordance with their naming conventions. These names were in well-established use long before European contact but were mostly disregarded and replaced during colonization. Working with First Nations governments and communities to recognize their names supports reconciliation, the implementation of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and is the fastest growing field of work for the BCGNO. The majority of these names have pronunciation tools available on their online name records to help learn them.
Anglicized First Nations names:
For many decades, some First Nations names were interpreted and recorded by non-Indigenous people using the English alphabet. This sometimes resulted in simplifying names, inaccurate translations, or First Nations words and terms being mistaken for place names.
Subjective words derived from Indigenous languages:
Historically, many places were named using Indigenous words subjectively selected by government representatives. For example, it was common for early surveyors to use "Indian Dictionaries" to create geographical names for maps and charts. Occasionally, words from Indigenous languages from outside of B.C. were used for official names. Like anglicized First Nations names, these names and their translations are interpretations of Indigenous languages by non-Indigenous people using the English alphabet and may not accurately reflect the original language.
Commemorative names for Indigenous people:
There are many commemorative names for Indigenous people, often for prominent chiefs, local trappers, or exploration guides. Many of these names were chosen by government representatives. Naming places to honour individuals is a very common European practice but historically done rarely by Indigenous communities. There are also many places named after a nearby First Nations community.
Names without origin information:
Some of the Indigenous names in the BCGNIS do not include information on their origins for various reasons. There were several colonial policies designed to disrupt Indigenous cultures and the transmission of Indigenous knowledge which have had lasting consequences, including the loss of long-standing First Nations place names or the meaning and origin of the name. There are also many geographical names that were recorded by government representatives that did not include information on the meaning, language, or community it came from.
Discover more Indigenous-tagged names by exploring the web app:
How geographical naming works: Naming Policy and Procedures
The BC Geographical Names Office (BCGNO), within the Heritage Branch, makes place naming decisions in accordance with the BC Geographical Naming Policy and Procedures. Under the policy, the office initiates an engagement period to request comments from First Nations and local governments whose territories and boundaries a feature is within, and from organizations impacted by a proposed name (e.g. search and rescue groups).
The information required to make a formal proposal to rescind (remove) or to replace a geographical name is included in the policy document.
The British Columbia Geographical Naming Policy states that proposals for commemorative naming may only be considered after 24 months have elapsed from the date of passing, and only where there is broad demonstrated support of significant contribution by that person to an area. This is in line with policies in other jurisdictions across Canada and is intended to provide time for careful reflection on how best to commemorate the memory of an individual, and to encourage objective consideration and discussion at the local level prior to submission of a formal geographical name proposal.
The Policy also states that the investigation of each proposal will include gathering comments on suitability, existence of a local name, and probable degree of acceptance of the proposed names from a variety of community representation including local First Nations. As part of every naming process, invitations to comment on the naming proposal are sent to municipalities, regional districts and all First Nations governments whose territories the feature is in, as well as to regional organizations. Once an application is accepted and the name change process is initiated, generally the time required to collect comments takes 10 to 12 months.
If a place naming decision is made, the name record in the BCGNIS is adjusted (added, changed, rescinded). A robust notification process follows to ensure everyone is aware of the change and official maps are adjusted.
Making a place naming proposal
Changing a place name consists of several steps. The processes to remove or rescind a place name and adopt a new name are similar, but establishing new names contains extra steps to ensure the new name is best suited for adoption. All proposals will be shared for comment with respective local and First Nations governments whose boundaries and territories include the feature, as well as with relevant regional organizations.
1. Name change initiated by member of the public
2. Name change application received by BCGNO and reviewed.
3. Engagement with affected groups about how the proposal would impact them and if there are other existing names (for new name proposals). Engagement includes requesting comments from First Nations governments, local governments, regional organizations, search and rescue, and others.
4. Comments are evaluated and a decision is reached (approve, defer or reject) to adopt, rescind or re-name the feature.
5. A robust notification process follows to ensure everyone is aware of any changes, and that official maps are adjusted accordingly.
The BCGNO does not initiate any new names or name changes. A proposal to change, add or rescind a geographical name is required before the BCGNO can consider changes. The office accepts hard copy proposals and proposals in electronic formats such as Word documents, PDF and Excel spreadsheets.
A proposal to change a place name must include the following information:
Contact information for proponent submitting the proposal
Proposed Place Name
Current Official Name, if applicable
Type of feature
Geographical coordinates of the feature, such as longitude and latitude at the feature's mid-point, stream mouth, and stream headwaters (as appropriate)
Geographical extent of the feature (e.g. 'name applies to the entire mountain' or 'name applies to a specific peak on the mountain')
The meaning or significance of the proposed name
Reason for name or name change
Audio recordings that provide guidance on pronunciation
Images of the feature
Description of all research undertaken, including letters of support from local governments, First Nations governments and relevant organizations, including their contact information
Recording a name can be a meaningful tool that follows a simplified process than proposing a formal name change. Recorded names are names that have been used historically but are unofficial, therefore not labelled on provincial and federal maps, and do not require community engagement. Recorded names can be important public awareness and educational resources that contain many of the same elements as an official name.
Origin and historical information can also be added to an existing name record, and requires appropriate sourcing.
Using the Data and Web Service
This section is intended for developers, researchers, programmers and other users, and includes information on data formats and how to extract the data.
For Developers
The BC Geographical Names Information System includes a web service (the BC Geographical Names Web Service). The web service can be used by third-party application developers to incorporate name searches into other web sites and application.
Visit the interactive API console that defines the capabilities of the BC Geographical Names Web Service
Using our information
To cite material from the BCGNIS please follow these standards:
Downloading the Gazetteer
The Gazetteer of British Columbia is a listing of all 41,000+ official geographical names in the province, extracted from the BC Geographical Names Information System, the master database of B.C. place names. The Gazetteer is downloadable free of charge.
Formats available:
The Gazetteer includes two documents:
Download the Gazetteer documents
Launch App: BC Geographical Names
Link to Naming Policy & Procedures
B.C. Geographical Names Office
250 356-1432
geographical.names@gov.bc.ca
Media Contact:
Jill Nessel
250 880-3455
Jill.Nessel@gov.bc.ca