Below is a list of resources I've stumbled across over the years that I've found invaluable when it comes to creating names for my settings. I'll try to keep adding to this when I find things that are worthwhile, without making it too longwinded and unmanageable.
Like everything when it comes to fantasy cartography, there aren't too many hard and fast rules or methods when it comes to creating names for you lands or settlements.
Personally I tend to look at historical approaches, as this seems to create more authenticity, but it all depends on you're setting. Historical contexts work for me as I veer more towards medieval fantasy, that approach might not work so well if you're creating maps and campaigns set in a dystopian sci-fi setting.
These approaches are:
- Etymology: the study of the origin of words; and
- Toponymy: The study of place names
Useful links
With that in mind, here are a few links that I've found really helpful in the toponymy of my worldbuilding projects:
- List of generic forms in place names in Ireland and the UK
- Norman Toponymy (In particular the section on Normanic place names about a third down the page)
- German Toponymy
- North American Place name etymologies (This is a huge resource, so make sure you have your provisions packed and your blades sharpened, as one can get lost in this large cavern of knowledge quite easily. Thou hath been warned).