N.C. Board on Geographic Names (SMAC)

Purpose

The N.C. Board on Geographic Names and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names work together to develop official names for use in federal products and for adoption by other non-federal organizations for use in mapping projects and databases. The database that results through this process is known as the Geographic Names Information System. GNIS is a searchable database developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. BGN, and is acknowledged by the GICC as the official North Carolina names repository.

Many features in North Carolina are unnamed. Locally accepted names are in the GNIS, since the process involves input from people who live in that community. Citizens may submit a request to change the name of a geographic feature in North Carolina to the U.S. BGN (see below).

The charter for the N.C. BGN describes the purpose and membership.

Procedure for Naming or Changing Geographic Placenames

To propose or change the name of a geographic feature, fill out the U.S. BGN's submittal form. The U.S. BGN will review the proposal and seek input from appropriate local and state agencies, including the N.C. BGN.

The N.C. BGN does not handle street or road names.

List of Features Name Changes

Name County
Bakers Mountain Creek Catawba
Glass House Creek Orange
Richardson Creek Lincoln
Orchard Creek Buncombe
Gordon Branch Buncombe
Quilt Creek Henderson
Highland Lake Henderson
Jincys Spring Forsyth
Katys Creek Davidson
Katys Spring Davidson
Tilleys Mill Pond Stokes
Griffith Mill Pond Forsyth
Tilley Mill Pond Surry
Wren Creek Mecklenburg
Sophie Creek Forsyth
Sandy Branch Forsyth
Kimel Branch Forsyth
Jincy Creek Forsyth
Carrie Creek Forsyth
Bethel Branch Forsyth
Regency Lake Iredell
Pittman Pond Robeson
Buckquarter Creek Buncombe
Gibson Creek Buncombe
Gryphon Branch Catawba
Revels Mountain Transylvania
Revels Prong Transylvania
Fox Creek
Buncombe
Spurr Creek
Granville
Winding Oak Creek
Granville
Maynard Pond
Wake
Bailey Hills
Iredell
Barker Creek
Vance
Buttermilk Creek
Buncombe
Cannon Crossroads
Cabarrus
Cedar Valley Creek
Jackson
Cedar Valley Knob
Jackson
Cedar Valley Spring
Jackson
Clay Knob
Clay/Macon
Corner Gum
Currituck
Currituck Bay
Currituck
East Branch Barker Creek
Vance
Haven Creek
Chatham
Hickman Creek
Hoke
Jennies Branch
Brunswick
Lake Avocet
Wake
Lake Overlook
Orange
Little Clay Knob
Clay
Middle Core Banks
Carteret
Mingo Creek
Wake
New Drum Inlet
Carteret
Ophelia Banks
Carteret
Ophelia Inlet
Carteret
Penland Creek
Buncombe
Rhododendron Creek
Buncombe
Russells Run
Guilford
Sauce Pan Creek
Brunswick
South Branch Barker Creek
Vance
South Buckle Island
Currituck/Virginia Beach (city), VA
West Branch Barker Creek
Vance
Windrow Branch
Union/Mecklenburg

Committee Information

Members

Name Organization Phone Number

Cam McNutt, chair

N.C. Department of Environmental Quality 919-707-3690
Amy Durden LGC Elizabeth City 252-337-6628
ext. 32
Dr. Joseph Beatty N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources 919-814-6623
Mike Medina N.C. Geological Survey 919-733-2423
Mike Herrmann NCDOT 919-835-8450
Dr. Burrell Montz East Carolina University 252-328-6086
Dr. Rebecca Dobbs North Carolina State University 828-524-2128 x 101

Meetings

View upcoming GICC events

View past GICC events, including associated materials.

Charter

Contacts

Staff Support: David Giordano, N.C. CGIA, 919-754-6585