Place-name studies

Place-name studies, or toponymy, is the academic field that examines the origin, meaning, and use of geographic names. It explores how places got their names, what those names reveal about historical events, cultures, languages, or geographic features, and how names change over time. By analyzing place-names, researchers gain insights into the history, migration, and cultural influences of a region. It combines linguistics, history, geography, and archaeology to deepen our understanding of human interaction with the landscape and preserve cultural heritage through the study of toponyms.