Maldives Land and Survey Authority (MLSA) has developed a nomenclature for geographical locations in the Maldives.
MLSA has constituted a Geographic Names Committee to give names to unnamed locations in the Maldives including islands, reefs, administrative districts, and other geographical areas. The committee comprises of President's Office, Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Dhivehibahuge Academy and the Local Government Authority (LGA).
The criteria for naming places include the name being a Dhivehi name which can be easily pronounced. It also states the name must not be a title used for another geographical location, however, names can be decided based on the area where it is located, for example, taking into account geography, geology, fauna, and history. Other important considerations include the size of the islands, for example; Dhigurah, Kudarah, Gan, Dhiffushi, and Dhoonidhoo, characteristics of island formation, for example; Usfushi and Baarah, locations of the islands, natural age of the islands, and history.
If a third party proposes to name a geographical location, the proposed names and the reasons for the proposal shall be stated in accordance with the rule and a third party other than a government agency may propose a name only if it has reclaimed an island from a lagoon, as per the rule.