Albanian exonyms explained
Many places have exonyms, names for places that differs from that used in the official or well-established language within that place, in the Albanian language.
Albanian has a relatively small number of true exonyms in areas beyond the current borders of Albania and Kosovo, mostly in neighboring countries, and those are listed here.
In addition, Albanian is a language with phonetic spelling that includes orthographic exonymy, i.e. it renders the names of non-Albanian places and people phonetically according to Albanian orthography. For example, Manchester is written as Mançester, Los Angeles as Los Anxheles, and New York as Nju Jork, etc. These are not listed here.
Grammatical forms of Albanian placenames
True Albanian exonyms, not mere orthographic exonyms, like all Albanian placenames can be rendered in two forms the same way as common nouns, the definite and indefinite forms.[1] These forms are created with postpositions to the placename.
When using English or another foreign language, Albanians tend to use the definite form but on road signs and other similar usage, the indefinite form is used because there is an implied preposition në, meaning "to" or "in", which is followed by the indefinite.[2] Maps, especially those produced in Albania, consistently use the indefinite form.[2]
The two forms are applied differently depending on grammatical gender of the word. "Recommended international usage for Albanian toponyms" in Kosovo has feminine place names appearing in the definite form and masculine place names in the indefinite form. However, in Albania, English usage is of the indefinite for both feminine and masculine placenames except for the capital, Tirana. Masculine nouns usually take the suffix -i and feminine ones the suffix -a (which overrides a final -ë).
Afghanistan
| Afganistani |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Kabul | Kabul | Kabəl | Pashto | |
| Kābul | Persian | | |
Belgium
| Belgjika |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Brussels | Bruksel[3] | Brussel | Dutch | |
| Bruxelles | French | | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina
| Bosnja dhe Hercegovina |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Brčko | Bërçka | Brčko | Bosnian | |
| Sarajevo | Sarajevë | Sarajevo | Bosnian | | |
Bulgaria
| Bullgaria |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Plovdiv | Pl(l)ovdiv, Filipopojë | Plovdiv | Bulgarian | |
| Sofia | Sofje | Sofija | Bulgarian | | |
Croatia
| Kroacia |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Arbanasi | Arbanëshi | Arbanasi | Croatian | |
| Opatija | Opatia | Opatija | Croatian | |
| Rijeka | Rieka | Rijeka | Croatian | |
| Šibenik | Shibeniku | Šibenik | Croatian | |
| Zadar | Zara | Zadar | Croatian | | |
Cyprus
| Qipro |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Nicosia | Nikozia | Lefkoşa | Turkish | |
| Lefkosía | Greek | | |
Germany
| Gjermania |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Kiel | Kiel | Kiel | German | |
| Cologne | Këln | Köln | German | |
| Mainz | Majnz | Mainz | German | |
| Munich | Mynih | Münich | German | | |
Greece
| Greqia |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Aetomilitsa | Denckë | Aetomilítsa | Greek | |
| Ammoudia | Spllancë | Ammúdia | Greek | |
| Anthousa | Rrapezë | Anthúsa | Greek | |
| Argos Orestiko | Hurupisht, Rupisht | Árgos Orestikó | Greek | |
| Arta | Artë, Nartë | Arta | Greek | |
| Athens | Athinë | Athína | Greek | |
| Bizani | Bezhan | Bizáni | | |
| Corfu | Korfuz, Qarfoz | Kérkyra | | |
| Delvinaki | Delvinaq | | | |
| Drosopigi | Bellkamen | Drosopigí | | |
| Edessa | Vodenë | Édessa | | |
| Elassona | Allasonjë | Elassóna | | |
| Fanari | Frar | Fanári | | |
| Filiates | Filat | Filiátes | | |
| Flampouro | Negovan | | | |
| Florina | Follorinë | Flórina | | |
| Grevena | Grebené | Grevená | | |
| Goumenissa | Gumenicë | Guménissa | | |
| Igoumenitsa | Gumenicë | Igumenítsa | | |
| Ioannina | Janinë | Ioánnina | | |
| Kalabaka | Kallabakë | Kalabáka | | |
| Kalamata | Kallamatë | Kalamáta | | |
| Karditsa | Kardhitsë | | | |
| Kastoria | Kostur | Kastoriá | | |
| Kastrion | Kastricë | | | |
| Katavothra | Luarat | Katavóthra | | |
| Kavala | Kavallë | | | |
| Konitsa | Konicë | Kónitsa | | |
| Lekhovon | Lehovë | Lékhovon | | |
| Livadeia | Livadhja | | | |
| Margariti | Margëllëç, Margëlliç | Margaríti | | |
| Messolonghi | Mesolongji, Meslonjë | Messolongí | | |
| Metsovo | Mecovë, Meçovë | Métsovo | | |
| Narkissos | Arcë | Narkíssos | | |
| Othoni | Thonuz | Othoní | | |
| Paramithia | Paramithi | Paramithiá | | |
| Parapotamos | Varfanj | Parapótamos | | |
| Parga | Pargë | Pargá | | |
| Patras | Patër | | | |
| Peloponnese | Moré, Peloponez | Pelopónnisos | | |
| Perdika | Arpicë | Perdika | | |
| Plataria | Pllotarë | Platariá | | |
| Pogoniani | Voshtinë | Pogonianí | | |
| Preveza | Prevezë | Préveza | | |
| Ptolemaida | Kajlar | | | |
| Sagiada | Sajadhë | | | |
| Stavroupoli | Kristopojë | Stavrúpoli | | |
| Syvota | Volë | Sývota | | |
| Themelon | Taban | Themélon | | |
| Thesprotikon | Lelovë | Thesprotikón | | |
| Thessaloniki | Selanik | Thessalonikí | | |
| Trikalla | Tërkallë, Trikallë | | | |
| Tripoli | Tripolicë | Tripolí | | |
| Vuvousa | Vuvucë | Vuvúsa | | | |
Israel
| Izraeli |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Jerusalem | Jeruzalem | Al Quds | Arabic | |
| Yerushalayim (ירושליים) | Hebrew | |
| Nazareth | Nazaret | Naseriyye | Arabic | |
| Natzrat (נצרת) | Hebrew | | |
Italy
| Italia |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Acquaformosa | Firmoza | | | |
| Barile | Barilli | | | |
| Campomarino | Kemarini | | | |
| Caraffa di Catanzaro | Garfara | | | |
| Casavecchia di Puglia | Kazallveqi | | | |
| Castroregio | Kasternexhi | | | |
| Cavallerizzo | Cajaverizzi | | | |
| Cervicati | Cervikati | | | |
| Cerzeto | Qana | | | |
| Chieuti | Qefti | | | |
| Civita | Cifti | | | |
| Falconara Albanese | Fallkunara | | | |
| Firmo | Ferma | | | |
| Frascineto | Frasnitha | | | |
| Genoa | Gjenovë | Genova | Italian | |
| Lungro | Ungra | | | |
| Macchia Albanese | Maqi | | | |
| Maschito | Mashqiti | | | |
| Mezzioiuso | Munxifsi | | | |
| Mongrassano | Mongrasana | | | |
| Montecilfone | Munxhfune | | | |
| Palazzo Adriano | Palaci | | | |
| Pallagorio | Puherio | | | |
| Piana dei Greci | Hora e Arbëreshëvet | | | |
| Plataci | Pllatani | | | |
| Portocannone | Portokanuni | | | |
| Ragusa | Ragusë | | | |
| Rome | Romë | Roma | Italian | |
| San Basile | Shën Vasili | | | |
| San Benedetto Ullano | Shën Benedhiti | | | |
| San Cosmo Albanese | Strighari | | | |
| San Constantino Albanese | Shën Kostadini | | | |
| San Demetrio Corone | Shën Mitri | | | |
| San Giacomo di Cerzetu | Shën Japku | | | |
| San Giorgio di Albanese | Mbuzati | | | |
| San Martino di San Finita | Shën Murtiri | | | |
| San Marzano di San Giuseppe | Shën Marcani | | | |
| San Nicola dell'Alto | Shën Kolli | | | |
| San Paolo Albanese | Shën Pali | | | |
| Santa Catarina Albanese | Picilia | | | |
| Santa Cristina Gela | Sendahstina | | | |
| Santa Sofia d'Epiro | Shën Sofia | | | |
| Spezzano Albanese | Spixano | | | |
| Trieste | Trieshtë | | | |
| Ururi | Ruri | | | |
| Vaccarizzo Albanese | Vakarici | | | |
| Vena di Maide | Vina | | | |
| Venice | Venedik | Venexia | Venetian | |
| Villa Badessa | Badhessa | | | | |
Lebanon
| Libani |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Beirut | Bejrut | Bayrūt | Arabic | |
| Tripoli | Tripoli | Tarābulus | Arabic | | |
Montenegro
| Mali i Zi |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Andrijevica | Andrijevicë | Andrijevica | Montenegrin | |
| Bar | Tivar | Bar | Montenegrin | |
| Berane | Beranë | Berane | Montenegrin | |
| Bijelo Polje | Bellopojë | Bijelo Polje | Montenegrin | |
| Budva | Buduë | Budva | Montenegrin | |
| Cetinje | Cetinë | Cetinje | Montenegrin | |
| Gusinja | Guci, Gusi | Gusinja | Montenegrin | |
| Kolašin | Koloshin | Kolašin | Montenegrin | |
| Kotor | Kotorr | Kotor | Montenegrin | |
| Nikšić | Nikshiq | Nikšić | Montenegrin | |
| Plav | Plavë | Plav | Montenegrin | |
| Pljevlje | Plevlë | Pljevlje | Montenegrin | |
| Plužine | Pluzhinë | Plužine | Montenegrin | |
| Podgorica | Podogoricë; Anamal, Burguriçë | Podgorica | Montenegrin | |
| Rožaje | Rozhajë | Rožaje | Montenegrin | |
| Ulcinj | Ulqin | Ulcinj | Montenegrin | |
| Žabljak | Zhabjak | Žabljak | Montenegrin | | |
North Macedonia
| Maqedonia e Veriut |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Berovo | Berovë | Berovo | Macedonian | |
| Bitola | Manastir | Bitola | Macedonian | |
| Debar | Dibër | Debar | Macedonian | |
| Delčevo | Dellçevë | Delčevo | Macedonian | |
| Gevgelja | Gjevgjeli | Gevgelja | Macedonian | |
| Kičevo | Kërçevë | Kičevo | Macedonian | |
| Kočani | Koçan | Kočani | Macedonian | |
| Kratovo | Kratovë | Kratovo | Macedonian | |
| Kriva Palanka | Krivë Pallankë | Kriva Palanka | Macedonian | |
| Kruševo | Krushevë | Kruševo | Macedonian | |
| Kumanovo | Kumanovë | Kumanovo | Macedonian | |
| Negotino | Negotinë | Negotino | Macedonian | |
| Ohrid | Ohër, Ohrit | Ohrid | Macedonian | |
| Pehčevo | Peçevë | Pehčevo | Macedonian | |
| Prilep | Prilep, Përlep | Prilep | Macedonian | |
| Radoviš | Radovisht | Radoviš | Macedonian | |
| Resen | Resnjë | Resen | Macedonian | |
| Šar Mountains | Bjeshkët e Sharrit, Malet e Sharrit, Mali i Sharrit | Šar Mountains | Macedonian | |
| Skopje | Shkup | Skopje | Macedonian | |
| Struga | Strugë | Struga | Macedonian | |
| Strumica | Strumicë | Strumica | Macedonian | |
| Sveti Nikole | Sveti Nikollë | Sveti Nikole | Macedonian | |
| Tetovo | Tetovë | Tetovo | Macedonian | |
| Valandovo | Vallandovë | Valandovo | Macedonian | |
| Zajas | Zajaz | Zajas | Macedonian | | |
Romania
| Rumania |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Bucharest | Bukuresht | București | Romanian | |
| Constanța | Konstancë | Constanța | Romanian | | |
Russia
| Rusia |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Moscow | Moska | Moskva | Russian | |
| Saint Petersburg | Shën-Pjetërburgu | Sankt-Peterburg | Russian | | |
Saudi Arabia
| Arabia Saudite |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Medina | Medina | Madīna | Arabic | |
| Mecca | Meka | Makkah | Arabic | |
| Riyadh | Riad | Riyāḍ | Arabic | | |
Serbia
| Serbia |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Belgrade | Beogradi | Beograd | Serbian | |
| Blace | Bllacë | Blace | Serbian | |
| Bujanovac | Bujanovc | Bujanovac | Serbian | |
| Kuršumlija | Kurshumli | Kuršumlija | Serbian | |
| Leskovac | Leskoc | Leskovac | Serbian | Also known in Albanian as Leshkuq |
| Medveđa | Medegjë | Medveđa | Serbian | |
| Novi Pazar | Pazar i Ri, Treg i Ri | Novi Pazar | Serbian | |
| Preševo | Preshevë | Preševo | Serbian | |
| Prokuplje | Prokuplë | Prokuplje | Serbian | |
| Raške | Rashkë | Raške | Serbian | |
| Sjenica | Senicë | Sjenica | Serbian | |
| Vlasotince | Vllasotincë | Vlasotince | Serbian | | |
Switzerland
| Zvicra |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Bern | Berna | Bern | German | |
| Chur | Kur | Chur | German | |
| Geneva | Gjeneva | Genèvre | French | |
| Genf | German | |
| Lausanne | Lozana | Lausanne | French | |
| Lucerne | Luzern | Luzern | German | | |
Turkey
| Turqia |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Edirne | Edërne, Adrianopojë | Edirne | Turkish | |
| İstanbul | Stamboll, Konstantinopojë | İstanbul | Turkish | | |
United Kingdom
| Mbretëria e Bashkuar |
|---|
| English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes |
|---|
| Name | Language |
|---|
| Cardiff | Kardif | Caerdydd | Welsh | |
| Edinburgh | Edinburg | Dún Èideann | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Edinburgh | Scots, English | |
| London | Londër | London | English | | |
See also
Notes and References
- Leonard Newmark, Philip Hubbard, Peter R. Prifti. Standard Albanian: a reference grammar for students. Stanford University Press, 1982. p. 158. .
- Gillian Gloyer. The Bradt Travel Guide Albania. 3rd edition. Bradt Travel Guides, 2008. .
- http://www.eki.ee/knab/p_mm_en.htm KNAB, the Place Names Database of EKI
