Labels of the Place Names Database (KNAB)

The following types of labels exist:

• Language of the name. Estonian-language names are without language labels (within the place name records concerning Estonia), others will contain language codes on the basis of ISO 639 (e.g. de = German, en = English, et = Estonian, fi = Finnish, la = Latin, lv = Latvian, pl = Polish, ru = Russian, sv = Swedish (svEE = Estonian Swedish)). KNAB will use 2-letter ISO codes if available and then the 3-letter (terminological) codes available for other languages. For a full list of language codes see the appropriate table.
• Status or style labels. These are abbreviated, in capital letters; the following are used most frequently:
  • ADD = addition (in parallel occurring in a source, might be another feature)
  • ARTIF = artificial name, descriptive name or term (often used in listings for unnamed features; not "proper" place names)
  • BIBL = Biblic name usage
  • COLLOQ = colloquial
  • CONF = erroneously (confusing name usage: not in a correct place, etc.)
  • ERR = erroneous name form (with a typing mistake, etc.)
  • EST CONV = foreign-language exonym in Estonian texts
  • EST TR = name in Estonian transcription; is used only within Estonian-language texts
  • HIST = used only in historic contexts
  • IRON = ironical name usage
  • LESS USED = less used or recommended name spelling; instead, the endonym (local official name) is more used or preferred
  • LOC = colloquial name, name in local usage
  • M-A = name form documented in Middle Age sources (language not always clear)
  • OBJ = objectionable, deprecated, undesirable spelling
  • OFF = official(ly)
  • OBS = obsolete
  • OLD SPELLING = older orthography (used in Estonian until the 1870's, possibly many later sources also give the names in the older orthography)
  • PAR = parallel name
  • PROP = name proposal (not officially confirmed)
  • QUEST = questionable if the name of the same feature (used if the association to present names is not certain)
  • ROM = romanization of names in a system that is used within KNAB in order to accurately reflect the original non-Roman spelling; this label is used in opposition to the label EST TR (cf.); these romanization systems are, as a rule, not international systems of romanization
  • SUPP = supposed name form (no sources used)
  • TR = transcription of a non-Roman name, adapted to specific languages: ENGL TR (English transcription), FR TR (French), LOC TR (locally used), ALT TR (alternative transcription); see also EST TR
  • TRANSL = translation (name form is translated, authentic usage is uncertain)
  • UNCL = unclear name spelling (difficult to read from a map, etc.; reading mistakes are possible)
  • UNOFF = unofficial(ly)
  • WITH ART = used with an article (in a given language)
  • WITHOUT DIACR = spelling without diacritical marks (i.e. the full and accurate spelling is not known)
  • WITHOUT TONES = spelling without diacritical signs for tones, i.e. the full spelling (of e.g. Vietnamese names) is not known