The origin of the place names is a research topic for linguists (or onomasticians) and geographers, but since ancient times a wide range of people have also been interested in the subject. As Latvia is the closest neighbour to both Lithuania and Estonia, they share, to a large extent, a common history, as well as - because of this fact - a number of borrowed common words and names. The article is based on the toponymical material included in the short dictionary of Latvian geographical names entitled "No Abavas līdz Zilupei". It offers insight into the contemporary situation of Latvia oikonyms as well as providing comparison of the names of inhabited places with their historical names.Peer reviewe
