Phnom

Phnom is a Khmer word meaning mountain or hill. It is widely used as a toponymic element in Cambodia and in areas where Khmer language influence is strong. In transliteration, Phnom is often capitalized to indicate its function as a prefix in place names. The term derives from the Khmer noun ភ្នំ (phnum), signaling a raised landform and often serving as a geographic landmark.

Prominent examples include Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia; Phnom Kulen, a mountain range and national park near Siem Reap; Phnom Srei, the “Temple of the Women” near Siem Reap; Phnom Bokor, a hill and national park in Kampot Province; Phnom Chisor, a hill south of Takeo with an ancient temple; and Phnom Aural, the highest point in Cambodia in the Cardamom Mountains. These sites illustrate how Phnom marks elevated terrain and, in many cases, spiritual or historical significance.

In Khmer culture, hills and mountains are commonly associated with religious sites such as temples and monasteries, and many toponyms reflect this association. The word Phnom thus functions both as a geographic descriptor and as a cultural marker within Cambodian place names.