When multiple sources give different names, which source should be prioritised?

Help and support
1

There is a set of streets in the area I normally edit, some for pedestrians, some for cars, that have conflicting sources for the names. There are at least 5 different possible names, coming from the following sources:

  • Historical maps
  • Official goverment map (Not always correct on names but it is the official source for addresses and postcodes. This source also gives some streets 2 names, one for the street and one for the building addresses)
  • Street signs
  • Local custom

I would like to know which name should take priority, or how these various conflicting sources should be mapped. I have checked some similar posts and didn’t find a conclusive answer. I am quite an amateur mapper and just enjoy making the map of my local area more accurate in my free time. Hope this is the right place to ask for assistance.

2

You should map the street signs, because OSM is based on the “on the ground” rule. Also, local customary names should go in loc_name or alt_name.

3

In addition to what ZeLonewolf said, I would use official_name for the name that’s used in government documents where it differs from the name on street signs.