Ainu-derived place names and their etymologies.
151 place names, 308 analyses · 1515 geolocated names
Every geolocated name in the place-name index, across Hokkaidō, Sakhalin, Tōhoku, the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka, with the names that have an etymology record marked in black.
Loading the map… Sources: the coordinates and readings of the Hokkaidō, Sakhalin, Tōhoku and Kamchatka names come from PAX_SAPIENTICA (AsPJT), Ainu place-name tables (CC0-1.0, snapshot 2026-09-10); the Kuril islands from the sources cited on their records. Map: OpenFreeMap vector tiles (OpenMapTiles schema), data © OpenStreetMap contributors. https://github.com/AsPJT/PAX_SAPIENTICA
Abashiri
Hokkaidō
Apa-shiri kotan
Fish-spear-head land
2 analyses
Abetsu
Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
a-pet
sitting river
3 analyses
Abira
Hokkaidō
A-pira
Tine cliff
1 analysis
Abuta
Hokkaidō
Ap-uta kotan
The place of fish-spear-heads
1 analysis
Akan
Hokkaidō
Akan-pet
The made river
1 analysis
Akkeshi
Hokkaidō
Akkesh-i
The place of oysters
1 analysis
Alaid
Northern Kuril Islands
Chacha kotan
the old island
4 analyses
Apa-usta
Iwanai and Rankoshi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
apa-usta
door
2 analyses
Arekinai
Shibecha, Kushiro region, Hokkaidō
arke-nay
the river on one side
Asari
Hokkaidō
Asari-pet
The open river
Ashoro
Hokkaidō
Ash-so-oro-pet
The river with the standing waterfall
1 analysis
Atsuga
Hidaka town, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
ap-pet
winding river
Atsuta
Hokkaidō
Ahachita
The place of digging up hog-peanuts
1 analysis
Atsutoma
Bikuni, Shakotan, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
at-tomari
anchorage where the herring run
2 analyses
Ayoro
Shiraoi, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
ay-or-o-kotan
village where there are arrows
2 analyses
Bakkai
Hokkaidō
Pakkai shuma
The stone which carries a child on its back
1 analysis
Benkei
Suttsu, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
perke-i
torn place
Benkeinatsubo
Yoichi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
perke-i
split place
1 analysis
Betsubetsu
The boundary of Shiraoi and Tomakomai, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
pet-pet
river river
2 analyses
Betsukai
Eastern Hokkaidō: Betsukai
ペッ・カイエ
A bend in the river
1 analysis
Biei
Hokkaidō
Piye-pet
The river fat
1 analysis
Bikuni
Bikuni, Shakotan, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
pi-un-i
place where there are pebbles
Biratori
Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
pira-utur
between the cliffs
2 analyses
Biyano
Bikuni, Shakotan, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
pir-ya
the whirl shore, or the shore of split rock
Buubetsu
Shiraoi, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
pu-pet
river of the storehouse
1 analysis
Chikabumi
Hokkaidō
Chikap-uni
The home of the birds
1 analysis
Chikapane
Bikuni, Shakotan, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
cikap-un-i
place where the birds are
3 analyses
Chirinkotan
Northern Kuril Islands
чириннай + котан
the place of weak current
1 analysis
Chirpoy
Central Kuril Islands
0 analyses
Chisese
Iwanai, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
chis-ya
shore of the standing rock
Chūbetsu
Hokkaidō
Chiu-pet
Current river
1 analysis
E-kusi-an-tomari
Iwanai, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
etu-ko-us-i-an-tomari
anchorage at the thing with a nose attached to it
2 analyses
Ebetsu
Hokkaidō
E-pet
Humour river
1 analysis
Ekarma
Northern Kuril Islands
Ekar-ma
the small island nearby
1 analysis
Erimo
Erimo, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
enrum
cape
2 analyses
Etok-us-sirpa
Iwanai, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
etu-ko-us-sirpa
cape with a nose attached to it
2 analyses
Furano
Hokkaidō
Huru-an-nu-kotan
The very hilly place
1 analysis
Furubira
Hokkaidō
Huru-pira
The hill cliff
1 analysis
Gokibiru
Hamamasu-ku, Ishikari, Ishikari region, Hokkaidō
pokin-pir
the whirl below; the shade below
Hae
Monbetsu, Hidaka town, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
hay-o-pet
nettle river
1 analysis
Hamanaka
Suttsu, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
ota-noske
the middle of the beach
1 analysis
Harutoro
Yoichi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
ar-utur
the far side
1 analysis
Hidaka
Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
0 analyses
Horikappu
Kyōwa and Tomari, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
horka-p
the place that doubles back
1 analysis
Horoizumi
Erimo, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
poro-enrum
big cape
2 analyses
Horonobe
Horonobe, Sōya region, northern Hokkaidō
poro-nup
Large plain
2 analyses
Horotsuki
Suttsu and Shimamaki, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
poro-tuki
big cup
2 analyses
Hoshioki
Teine-ku, Sapporo, and Hoshino, Otaru, Ishikari and Shiribeshi regions, Hokkaidō
so-pok
below the waterfall
I-kosunke-iwaw-nay
Kyōwa, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
i-kosunke-iwaw-nay
the Iwanai River that lies to me
1 analysis
Ikubi
Yoichi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
e-u-ka-o-pi
stones laid one on another
1 analysis
Isebachi
Iwanai and Rankoshi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
iso-pake
head of the rocky shore
1 analysis
Ishikari
Hokkaidō
Ishkari-pet
The winding river; the blocked up river
1 analysis
Iturup
Southern Kuril Islands
Эторопо
jellyfish
1 analysis
Iwachishi
Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
iwa-cis
hollow of the rocky mountain
Iwanai
Iwanai and Kyōwa, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
iwaw-nay
sulphur stream
Iwaonupuri
Kutchan and Rankoshi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
iwaw-nupuri
sulphur mountain
1 analysis
Kabasomanai
Iwanai, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
kapar-so-oma-nay
stream with a flat waterfall in it
1 analysis
Kabato
Hokkaidō
Kapato-kotan
The place of the water lily Nuphar japonicum; mud lake
1 analysis
Kamuy-ru-oma-i
Iwanai, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
kamuy-ru-oma-i
place where the god's road is
2 analyses
Katsunai
Katsunai, Otaru, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
katchi-un-nay
stream where the rock tower is
1 analysis
Ketoy
Northern Kuril Islands
Ки той
grassy
1 analysis
Kharimkotan
Northern Kuril Islands
Harum' kotan
the place with many lilies
2 analyses
Kobira
Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
ku-o-pira
cliff where set bows are
1 analysis
Kunashir
Southern Kuril Islands
Kunna-shiri
black land
2 analyses
Kuril Islands
Kuril Islands
Курить
the smoking islands
2 analyses
Kushiro
Hokkaidō
Kush-ru
A passage; the way through
1 analysis
Kusna-puy
Iwanai, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
kusna-puy-oma-i
place with a hole one passes through
1 analysis
Kussharo
Eastern Hokkaidō: Teshikaga
クッチャロ
Throat or mouth; the outlet of a lake
1 analysis
Kutkarusinay
Yoichi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
ku-kar-us-nay
stream where bows are made
1 analysis
Lovushki
Northern Kuril Islands
0 analyses
Makanrushi
Northern Kuril Islands
Mak-an-ru-usi
the place on the way behind
1 analysis
Makka
Bikuni, Shakotan, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
maka
fork
Masadomari
Suttsu, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
mata-tomari
winter anchorage
2 analyses
Mashū
Eastern Hokkaidō: Lake Mashū
マシュン・トー
Gull lake
Matua
Northern Kuril Islands
0 analyses
Mitsuishi
Shin-Hidaka, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
nit-us-i
place where the skewer rock is
Monbetsu
Monbetsu, Hidaka town, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
mo-pet
quiet river
2 analyses
Muroran
Muroran, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
mo-ru-e-ran-i
place where a small road goes down
Nibutani
Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
ni-tay
wood of trees
2 analyses
Niikappu
Niikappu, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
ni-kap
tree bark
3 analyses
Nina
Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
ninar
terrace
2 analyses
Notsuke
Eastern Hokkaidō: Notsuke Peninsula
ノッケウ
Jawbone
1 analysis
Nukabira
Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
noka-pira
cliff where the figure is
1 analysis
Nutti
Yoichi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
nu-us-i
place of the abundant catch
3 analyses
Ofuyu
Ofuyu, Hamamasu, Ishikari, and the boundary with Mashike, Rumoi region, Hokkaidō
uhuy
it burns
Ohichakunay
Yoichi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
o-put-sak-nay
stream whose mouth dries up
1 analysis
Omunai
Iwanai, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
om-nay
muddy stream
2 analyses
Onekotan
Northern Kuril Islands
Onne kotan
the island grown old
2 analyses
Otarunai
Otaru, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō; the older referent lies at Zenibako 4-chōme on the Otaru–Sapporo boundary
ota-or-nay
stream in the sand beach
Oyakobetsu
Iwanai, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
o-ya-kor-pet
river that has a shore at its mouth
1 analysis
Paramushir
Northern Kuril Islands
Poro-moshiri
big island
Pes-o-so
Iwanai, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
pes-o-so
waterfall on the cliff
2 analyses
Puy-oma-i
Suttsu, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
puy-oma-i
place with a hole in it
1 analysis
Raiden
Iwanai, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
ray-ni
dead tree
Raikoke
Northern Kuril Islands
Raikóké
the place where sea otters are
1 analysis
Ranshima
Ranshima, Otaru, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
ran-osma-nay
place where they came down and entered
Rasshua
Northern Kuril Islands
0 analyses
Rausu
Eastern Hokkaidō: Rausu
ラウシ
A place with animal bones
1 analysis
Rawobe
Bikuni, Shakotan, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
rawot-pe
the one that clings to the low part
Rebun
Hokkaidō
Rep-un-shiri
The island
1 analysis
Rishiri
Hokkaidō
Ri-shiri
The high land
1 analysis
Rokujōma
Suttsu, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
rokuntew
passenger ship
1 analysis
Rumoi
Rumoi, Rumoi region, northern Hokkaidō
rur-mo-ot-pe
place where the tide comes in quietly
Samani
Samani, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
sama-an-i
the thing that lies there
1 analysis
Santarubetsu
Tomioka, Teine-ku, Sapporo, Ishikari region, Hokkaidō
sandarotkihi
the place where deer are brought down
Sapporo
Sapporo, Ishikari region, Hokkaidō
sat-poro
dry and vast
Sarobetsu
Toyotomi and Horonobe, Sōya region, northern Hokkaidō
サル・オ・ペツ
River flowing through reed beds
1 analysis
Saru
Hidaka town and Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
sar
reed plain
Sarufutsu
Sarufutsu, Sōya region, northern Hokkaidō
サラブツ
River mouth in reed beds
1 analysis
Seppu
Niikappu, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
poro-sep-pet
the parent wide river
2 analyses
Shadai
Shadai, Shiraoi, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
sa-tay-pet
river of the wood in front
2 analyses
Shari
Eastern Hokkaidō: Shari
サル
A place where reeds grow
2 analyses
Shiashkotan
Northern Kuril Islands
Tūki-moshiri
cup island
2 analyses
Shibecha
Eastern Hokkaidō: Shibecha
シペッチャ
By the large river
1 analysis
Shibetsu
Eastern Hokkaidō: Shibetsu, Nemuro district
シ・ペッ
The main river
2 analyses
Shikabe
Shikabe, Oshima region, Hokkaidō
sikerpe
place where Amur cork trees are
Shikiu
Shikiu, Shiraoi, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
siki-o-i
place where the reed grows
3 analyses
Shikotan
Southern Kuril Islands
Shi-kotan
the great village
1 analysis
Shikotsu
Lake Shikotsu and Chitose, Ishikari region, Hokkaidō
si-kot
big hollow
3 analyses
Shiraoi
Shiraoi, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
siraw-o-i
place where there are horseflies
Shirau
Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
siraw
horsefly
2 analyses
Shiretoko
Eastern Hokkaidō: Shiretoko Peninsula
sir-etok
The end of the land
1 analysis
Shiribuka
Kyōwa and Tomari, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
sir-pukka
the hill swells up
Shiunkotsu
Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
sum-un-kot
the valley to the west
3 analyses
Shizunai
Shin-Hidaka, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
situ-un-nay
stream on the ridge
2 analyses
Shubuto
Suttsu and Kuromatsunai, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
supki-pet-putu
mouth of the reed river
2 analyses
Shukutsu
Shukutsu, Otaru, Shiribeshi region, and Shukutsu, Muroran, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
sikutut-us-i
place where Ezo chives grow
Shumshu
Northern Kuril Islands
Kushan kotan
the place where people first came out
3 analyses
Simushir
Central Kuril Islands
Shi-moshiri
the great country
1 analysis
Siripa
Yoichi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
sir-pa
head of the land
1 analysis
Suttsu
Suttsu, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
supki-pet
river with the reeds used for arrow shafts
Tarugishi
Suttsu, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
taor-kes
the end of the high river bank
Teshikaga
Eastern Hokkaidō: Teshikaga
テシカ・ガ
Above the bedrock
1 analysis
Tobiu
Tobiu, Shiraoi, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
topi-o-i
place where bamboo grows
1 analysis
Toikanbetsu
Horonobe, Sōya region, northern Hokkaidō
トイ・カム・ペッ
River covered by earth
1 analysis
Tokachi
Tokachi region, Hokkaidō
tokap-ci
the breast dries up
Tsukisamu
Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Ishikari region, Hokkaidō
chi-kisa-p
the place where fire is drilled
Umekawa
Yoichi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
mem-nay
stream of the spring
3 analyses
Upopoi
Shiraoi, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
upopo-o-i
place where there are songs
1 analysis
Urakawa
Urakawa, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō
urar-pet
river of mist
3 analyses
Urup
Central Kuril Islands
Urup-pet
red salmon river
Use
Yoichi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
use
commoner
Ushishir
Northern Kuril Islands
Kamui karu moshiri
the island the god made
2 analyses
Utokanbetsu
Jinya-chō, Shiraoi, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
u-tukan-pet
river where they shot at each other
2 analyses
Uyoro
Ishiyama, Shiraoi, Iburi region, Hokkaidō
iwor-uturo-ci-kus-nay
stream passing between the inner mountains
1 analysis
Wakkanai
Wakkanai, Sōya region, northern Hokkaidō
yam-wakka-nay
Cold-water stream
1 analysis
Yamausu
Yoichi, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
yam-us-i
place where chestnuts grow thick
1 analysis
Yaoi
Suttsu, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
ya-o-i
the thing that is widely attached to the shore
Yarikirenai
Yuni, Sorachi region, Hokkaidō
yanke-nay
the river where no fish live
Yubetsu
Suttsu, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
yu-pet
hot-spring river
2 analyses
Zenibako
Zenibako, Otaru, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō
銭箱
the box for the money made from the herring catch
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