<P> Place names in the United States tend to be more easily traceable to their origins, such as towns simply named after the founder or an important politician of the time, with no alterations except a simple suffix, like - town . Carson City, for instance, was named for Kit Carson and Belo Horizonte means beautiful view . </P> <P> French, English and Gaelic derived names occur in Canada . There are also aboriginal place names . </P> <P> Australian place names are mainly a mixture of aboriginal and British - derived toponyms . </P> <P> New Zealand place names derive mostly from Maori and from British sources . The Maori named most of New Zealand's natural features . When Europeans began arriving in New Zealand from the 17th century they gave their own names to many geographical features and settlements, often after places in Britain or important settlers or famous British people . Recently there has been a movement to revive some Maori names . </P>

Where did the name of my town come from