User:RobHubi/Key:name
 name
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| Description |
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The primary name: in general, the most prominent signposted name or the most common name in the local language(s).  
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| Group: names |
| Used on these elements |
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| Documented values: 27 |
| Status: de facto |
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- Main article: Names
The name key specifies the usual name of the object in the real world. Names[1] name a single object in a group of similar objects. It is the most important of several name variants.
Basic Concept
Names are a constant naming of certain individuals such as persons, places, streets, rivers, etc. Names are only unique in the usual context: "The Red Lion" pub in the quarter, "Main Street" in the town, "Mary's Wool Room" in the district, etc. In larger contexts, additions are often necessary for uniqueness. These are not part of the name.
Multiple Names
As a rule, it is very simple: the name is signposted and is also used as such by the locals. If several names exist for a feature, the tag name is set to the primary respectively the most common name. There is a rich selection of name variants for the other names:
- old_name=* Historical or old name, still in some use
- official_name=* The name in the authority environment, often a more cumbersome form of the common name
- alt_name=* An alternative common name, e.g. a variation of the spelling
furthermore loc_name, int_name, nat_name, reg_name, short_name, sorting_name ... For a complete list of all variants of the names, see the table name variants. All name variants can also be specified in other languages, e.g. name:fr=Londres. See Multilingual names.
In multilingual regions or places, several names in different languages may be shown for the name, so that no language is favoured. A separator other than a semicolon, such as "/" or "-" (spaced or not), may be customary locally. For example this relation uses name=Biel/Bienne. See Multiple names.
Descriptive Names
Descriptive names such as "Tesco Car Park" or "Brandon Town Map" are not usually names. However, names can arise from descriptions. The transition is completed by constant naming in independent sources. "Westminster Abbey" and "Cologne Cathedral" are examples of this.
The transition to a name is a grey area where every point of view has its justification. In cases of doubt, tend to use the description=* tag.
Disputed Names
If the dispute can not be resolved through discussion, then the simple default rule is whatever name are used by the people on the ground at that location are used. For further information see Solving Disputes and the Official OpenStreetMap Foundation statement on the project's practices regarding disputed boundaries, borders, names, and descriptions.
Sources
It is generally preferable to record names based on field observations. If other sources are used, it may be useful to indicate the source used with the key source:name=*. Possible sources:
- Ground truth - signposted names. According to the OTG principle, it is the preferred source
- Official truth - names as part of laws, ordinances and decrees. See also official_name=*
- General knowledge - the identical naming of an object in different, independent sources is an indication of a name.
In cases where sources disagree, consider the name variants.
When to use
Only use it for the primary name.
Do not use it for
- Common names: "Football Pitch", "Toilet" ...
- Descriptive names: "Tesco Car Park", "Brandon Town Map" ...
- Constructed names: "EuroVelo 1 - Atlantic Coast Route - part United Kingdom 1"
Use it thoughtfully for
- Brand names: "Tesco", "Aldi" ...
Brand names are names of product lines such as ‘McDonald's’ or ‘Tesla Supercharger’. If the individual object (the shop, the station ...) does not have an individual name, there are two views to set name=* of the object:
- brand=* AND name=* are set to the brand name because it is a name
- ONLY brand=* is set to the brand name and the tag name=* is omitted because the individual object does not have an individual name.
How to map
Add name=* to the object.
Editors
Many OpenStreetMap editors are providing a field for attribute name=* in their feature presets. StreetComplete has quests ("What is the name of this road/pedestrian street/square?" 
and "What is the name of this place? […]" 
) to add the name=* tag for many features.
See also
- Names
- name:pronunciation=* - A phonetic guide to pronouncing the name
- name:etymology=* - The subject commemorated in the name of an element
- Multilingual names
- noname=yes - Used to mark the absence of a name, where something really does not have a name in reality
- strapline=* - Official strapline used in an advertising slogan next to the name, commonly seen on signs
- unnamed=* - Used to mark the absence of a name, when it was verified to have no name defined in reality. Consider using
noname=*instead - description=* - to describe a feature.
Notes
- ↑ Latin “nomen proprium” (en: proper noun, de: Eigenname, fr: nom propre, es: nombre propio)