Today the Board, which is composed of representatives from many Federal agencies, continues to promote uniform name usage by standardizing the spelling and application of geographic names on all official maps and publications. The Board also is responsible for collecting and standardizing names of places outside the United States to meet official U.S. needs. In these functions, the Board collaborates with national and international organizations. This fact sheet, however, deals with commemorative naming only in the United States. Precedence is given to names in local usage.
Names established by Act of Congress are official by law.
One name, one spelling, and one application are authorized for each geographic entity. Duplicate names within a local political jurisdiction are not normally approved. Within wilderness areas, unnamed features remain unnamed, unless a name is required for purposes of safety, education, or area administration. Ownership of land is not sufficient grounds to justify Board approval of a commemorative name. In the United States, thousands of people have contributed and will continue to contribute to society in many different ways.