Missouri Board on Geographic Names

The history and culture of Missouri are reflected in its place names. Citizens require an authoritative judgment about these names in their public records and in the publication of maps. The Missouri Board on Geographic Names (MOBGN) is responsible for coordinating place-naming activity between local, state and federal agencies. In so doing, the board oversees the naming and renaming of geographic features within the State of Missouri; provides uniformity in geographic nomenclature throughout the state; and retains the expressed historic and cultural significance of such names associated with Missouri's geography.

All geographic feature naming proposals reviewed by the MOBGN must first be submitted to U.S. Board on Geographic Names (USBGN) through the Domestic Geographic Name Proposal Portal. (Please note that users will need to access the submission system as a guest.)

The USBGN and the MOBGN are guided in their decisions by the USBGN's Principles, Policies and Procedures.

For questions about the submission of naming proposals, contact the USBGN at [email protected]. Questions about the deliberations of the MOBGN should be sent to Executive Secretary Brian Rogers at [email protected].

MOBGN Cookbook prepared by master chef and former board secretary Jane Messenger.

Meeting Minutes: