Projection Names

This project aims to develop standards in naming map projections. We will attempt to survey all projections described in the literature or used in published references. All known names of all projections will appear in the table on this page. Synonymous names all link to the same page, which lists the recommended name as the title.

I (DaanStrebe) propose the following principles for naming projections. The highest applicable principle should determine the projection's recommended name.

• Principle of Preponderance of Precedence Most disinterested references in most countries refer to the projection by a single name, and there are many such references.
  • Example: Bonne.
• Principle of Originator The projection is named for or by the person first known to have described or used it.
  • Example: Tri-optimal. (No overwhelming precedence. Projection's originator proposed the name.)
• Principle of Formulator The projection is named for or by the person who presented its mathematical development.
  • Example: Kitada. (No overwhelming precedence; originator uknown.)
• Principle of Promoter The projection is named for or by the person who popularized an otherwise obscure projection.
  • Example: None known whose originator or principal describer is not known.

I (DaanStrebe) also propose that proper names in projections be capitalized but other components not. Hence, plate carrée, not Plate Carrée; and Lambert conformal conic, not Lambert Conformal Conic.

To be resolved: The Peters case.

English	Français	Deutsch	日本語	Русский	Español	Polski	Português
Mercator			メルカートル
oblique cylindrical orthomorphic
transverse cylindrical orthomorphic
Wright