nimistö

Nimistö is a Finnish term for the system or body of names used within a language or domain. In everyday use it often refers to the study and management of proper names, and in Finland it is especially associated with toponymy—the naming of places—and with the standardization of naming in science.

In toponymy nimistö covers how place names are formed, recorded, and standardized, including historical forms, spelling variants, and pronunciation. Official usage is guided by language and governmental authorities, such as Kotimaisten kielten keskus (KOTUS) and the National Land Survey, which maintain standards and databases of geographic names. The concept can also apply to other naming systems, such as biological nomenclature (the scientific naming of organisms) or linguistic lexicon.

By ensuring consistent naming, nimistö supports mapmaking, public administration, and information systems, and it helps preserve linguistic and cultural heritage through documentation of old or variant forms. Debates around nimistö may involve language policy, minority-language rights, and the balance between local usage and national standardization.

See also: Toponymy, Nomenclature, Gazetteer, Taxonomy.