Wrangel Island Toponymy Motivated by Zoology Vocabulary

Approximately 19% of Wrangel Island's toponyms are derived from zoology vocabulary, reflecting the island's rich fauna and its significance to human activities such as hunting, fishing, and conservation. This finding underscores toponymy's role as a historical record, capturing distinct phases of the island's development—from initial exploration to modern environmental protection—over roughly 150 years. The study analyzed specialized guides, memoirs, cartographic materials, and interviews with reserve officials, revealing how naming conventions shift with human activity and ecological focus. Notably, the prevalence of zoology-related terms highlights both cultural priorities and objective features of Wrangel Island's diverse animal world.

Kostylev, Y. S. (2020). Wrangel Island Toponymy Motivated by Zoology Vocabulary. Вопросы Ономастики, 17(1), 84–94. https://doi.org/10.15826/vopr_onom.2020.17.1.004