This work includes three categories of place-name information: well-known places; repeated names which appear in many localities; and unusual names. Following each of the 12,000 entries is the name derivation, the state where pertinent and explication with historical, geographical and/or folk interpretations.

Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- I. The entry system -- II. General background. Specific-generic -- The article -- Languages -- Linguistic transfer -- Dual and multiple origin -- Abundance vs. rarity -- Habitations, natural features -- Folk-names -- Linguistic play, humor -- Evolved names -- bestowed names -- 'Official names' -- Naming systems -- Literary influences -- Religious and mythological names -- Railroad stations, mines, brands -- Personal names -- Tribal and national names -- Names from nature -- Exotic names -- III. Classification of place-names. Descriptive names -- Association names -- Possessive names -- Incident names -- Commemorative names -- Commendatory names -- Coined (manufactured) names -- Transfer and shift names, name cluster -- Folk-etymology -- Mistake names -- IV. Usage. Qualification -- Alphabetization -- Abbreviations -- Bibliography -- The names.