Variant name is a term used to specify the name of a geographic feature that is not the primary name used for that feature. Variant names usually have historical significance but have been superseded by another name that currently has more widespread use.
The term "variant name" as used in the
Geographic Names Information System
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is a database of name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features throughout the United States and its territories, Antarctica, and the associated states of ...
of the
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey (USGS), formerly simply known as the Geological Survey, is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, ...
is a part of
American National Standards Institute
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI ) is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organi ...
standard ANSI INCITS 446-2008.
[United States Geological Surve]
Geographic Names Information System
References
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Place names