Albanian exonyms

Many places have exonyms, names for places that differs from that used in the official or well-established language within that place, in the Albanian language.

Albanian has a relatively small number of true exonyms in areas beyond the current borders of Albania and Kosovo, mostly in neighboring countries, and those are listed here.

In addition, Albanian is a language with phonetic spelling that includes orthographic exonymy, i.e. it renders the names of non-Albanian places and people phonetically according to Albanian orthography. For example, Manchester is written as Mançester, Los Angeles as Los Anxheles, and New York as Nju Jork, etc. These are not listed here.

Grammatical forms of Albanian placenames

True Albanian exonyms, not mere orthographic exonyms, like all Albanian placenames can be rendered in two forms the same way as common nouns, the definite and indefinite forms. These forms are created with postpositions to the placename.

When using English or another foreign language, Albanians tend to use the definite form but on road signs and other similar usage, the indefinite form is used because there is an implied preposition në, meaning "to" or "in", which is followed by the indefinite. Maps, especially those produced in Albania, consistently use the indefinite form.

The two forms are applied differently depending on grammatical gender of the word. "Recommended international usage for Albanian toponyms" in Kosovo has feminine place names appearing in the definite form and masculine place names in the indefinite form. However, in Albania, English usage is of the indefinite for both feminine and masculine placenames except for the capital, Tirana. Masculine nouns usually take the suffix -i and feminine ones the suffix -a (which overrides a final -ë).

Afghanistan

Afghanistan Afganistani
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Kabul	Kabul	Kabəl	Pashto
		Kābul	Persian

Austria

Austria Austria
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Vienna	Vjena	Wien	German

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan Azerbajxhan
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Baku	Baku	Bakı	Azeri

Belgium

Belgium Belgjika
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Brussels	Bruksel	Brussel	Dutch
		Bruxelles	French

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnja dhe Hercegovina
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Brčko	Bërçka	Brčko	Bosnian
Sarajevo	Sarajevë	Sarajevo	Bosnian

Bulgaria

Bulgaria Bullgaria
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Plovdiv	Pl(l)ovdiv, Filipopojë	Plovdiv	Bulgarian
Sofia	Sofje	Sofija	Bulgarian

Canada

Canada Kanadaja
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Ottawa	Otava	Ottawa	English

China

China Kinë
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Beijing	Pekin	Běijīng	Mandarin

Croatia

Croatia Kroacia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Arbanasi	Arbanëshi	Arbanasi	Croatian
Opatija	Opatia	Opatija	Croatian
Rijeka	Rieka	Rijeka	Croatian
Šibenik	Shibeniku	Šibenik	Croatian
Zadar	Zara	Zadar	Croatian

Cyprus

Cyprus Qipro
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Nicosia	Nikozia	Lefkoşa	Turkish
		Lefkosía	Greek

Czechia

Czechia Çekia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Prague	Pragë	Praha	Czech

Denmark

Denmark Danimarka
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Copenhagen	Kopenhagen, Kopenhagë	København	Danish

Egypt

Egypt Egjipti
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Cairo	Kajro	Qāhirah	Arabic

Estonia

Estonia Estonia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Tallinn	Talin	Tallinn	Estonian

Germany

Germany Gjermania
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Kiel	Kiel	Kiel	German
Cologne	Këln	Köln	German
Mainz	Majnz	Mainz	German
Munich	Mynih	Münich	German

Greece

Greece Greqia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Aetomilitsa	Denckë	Aetomilítsa	Greek
Ammoudia	Spllancë	Ammúdia	Greek
Anthousa	Rrapezë	Anthúsa	Greek
Argos Orestiko	Hurupisht, Rupisht	Árgos Orestikó	Greek
Arta	Artë, Nartë	Arta	Greek
Athens	Athinë	Athína	Greek
Bizani	Bezhan	Bizáni
Corfu	Korfuz, Qarfoz	Kérkyra
Delvinaki	Delvinaq
Drosopigi	Bellkamen	Drosopigí
Edessa	Vodenë	Édessa
Elassona	Allasonjë	Elassóna
Fanari	Frar	Fanári
Filiates	Filat	Filiátes
Flampouro	Negovan
Florina	Follorinë	Flórina
Grevena	Grebené	Grevená
Goumenissa	Gumenicë	Guménissa
Igoumenitsa	Gumenicë	Igumenítsa
Ioannina	Janinë	Ioánnina
Kalabaka	Kallabakë	Kalabáka
Kalamata	Kallamatë	Kalamáta
Karditsa	Kardhitsë
Kastoria	Kostur	Kastoriá
Kastrion	Kastricë
Katavothra	Luarat	Katavóthra
Kavala	Kavallë
Konitsa	Konicë	Kónitsa
Lekhovon	Lehovë	Lékhovon
Livadeia	Livadhja
Margariti	Margëllëç, Margëlliç	Margaríti
Messolonghi	Mesolongji, Meslonjë	Messolongí
Metsovo	Mecovë, Meçovë	Métsovo
Narkissos	Arcë	Narkíssos
Othoni	Thonuz	Othoní
Paramithia	Paramithi	Paramithiá
Parapotamos	Varfanj	Parapótamos
Parga	Pargë	Pargá
Patras	Patër
Peloponnese	Moré, Peloponez	Pelopónnisos
Perdika	Arpicë	Perdika
Plataria	Pllotarë	Platariá
Pogoniani	Voshtinë	Pogonianí
Preveza	Prevezë	Préveza
Ptolemaida	Kajlar
Sagiada	Sajadhë
Stavroupoli	Kristopojë	Stavrúpoli
Syvota	Volë	Sývota
Themelon	Taban	Themélon
Thesprotikon	Lelovë	Thesprotikón
Thessaloniki	Selanik	Thessalonikí
Trikalla	Tërkallë, Trikallë
Tripoli	Tripolicë	Tripolí
Vuvousa	Vuvucë	Vuvúsa

Iran

Iran Irani
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Tehran	Teheran	Tehrān	Persian

Israel

Israel Izraeli
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Jerusalem	Jeruzalem	Al Quds	Arabic
		Yerushalayim (ירושליים)	Hebrew
Nazareth	Nazaret	Naseriyye	Arabic
		Natzrat (נצרת)	Hebrew

Italy

Italy Italia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Acquaformosa	Firmoza
Barile	Barilli
Campomarino	Kemarini
Caraffa di Catanzaro	Garfara
Casavecchia di Puglia	Kazallveqi
Castroregio	Kasternexhi
Cavallerizzo	Cajaverizzi
Cervicati	Cervikati
Cerzeto	Qana
Chieuti	Qefti
Civita	Cifti
Falconara Albanese	Fallkunara
Firmo	Ferma
Frascineto	Frasnitha
Genoa	Gjenovë	Genova	Italian
Lungro	Ungra
Macchia Albanese	Maqi
Maschito	Mashqiti
Mezzioiuso	Munxifsi
Mongrassano	Mongrasana
Montecilfone	Munxhfune
Palazzo Adriano	Palaci
Pallagorio	Puherio
Piana dei Greci	Hora e Arbëreshëvet
Plataci	Pllatani
Portocannone	Portokanuni
Ragusa	Ragusë
Rome	Romë	Roma	Italian
San Basile	Shën Vasili
San Benedetto Ullano	Shën Benedhiti
San Cosmo Albanese	Strighari
San Constantino Albanese	Shën Kostadini
San Demetrio Corone	Shën Mitri
San Giacomo di Cerzetu	Shën Japku
San Giorgio di Albanese	Mbuzati
San Martino di San Finita	Shën Murtiri
San Marzano di San Giuseppe	Shën Marcani
San Nicola dell'Alto	Shën Kolli
San Paolo Albanese	Shën Pali
Santa Catarina Albanese	Picilia
Santa Cristina Gela	Sendahstina
Santa Sofia d'Epiro	Shën Sofia
Spezzano Albanese	Spixano
Trieste	Trieshtë
Ururi	Ruri
Vaccarizzo Albanese	Vakarici
Vena di Maide	Vina
Venice	Venedik	Venexia	Venetian
Villa Badessa	Badhessa

Jordan

Jordan Jordania
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Amman	Amani	Ammān	Arabic

Lebanon

Lebanon Libani
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Beirut	Bejrut	Bayrūt	Arabic
Tripoli	Tripoli	Tarābulus	Arabic

Libya

Libya Libia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Tripoli	Tripoli	Tarābulus	Arabic

Mongolia

Mongolia Mongolia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Ulanbaataar	Ulan Bator	Ulanbaataar	Mongolian

Montenegro

Montenegro Mali i Zi
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Andrijevica	Andrijevicë	Andrijevica	Montenegrin
Bar	Tivar	Bar	Montenegrin
Berane	Beranë	Berane	Montenegrin
Bijelo Polje	Bellopojë	Bijelo Polje	Montenegrin
Budva	Buduë	Budva	Montenegrin
Cetinje	Cetinë	Cetinje	Montenegrin
Gusinja	Guci, Gusi	Gusinja	Montenegrin
Kolašin	Koloshin	Kolašin	Montenegrin
Kotor	Kotorr	Kotor	Montenegrin
Nikšić	Nikshiq	Nikšić	Montenegrin
Plav	Plavë	Plav	Montenegrin
Pljevlje	Plevlë	Pljevlje	Montenegrin
Plužine	Pluzhinë	Plužine	Montenegrin
Podgorica	Podogoricë; Anamal, Burguriçë	Podgorica	Montenegrin
Rožaje	Rozhajë	Rožaje	Montenegrin
Ulcinj	Ulqin	Ulcinj	Montenegrin
Žabljak	Zhabjak	Žabljak	Montenegrin

Nepal

Nepal Nepali
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Kathmandu	Katmandu	Kantipur	Nepali

Netherlands

Netherlands Holanda
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
The Hague	Hagë	Den Haag	Dutch

North Macedonia

North Macedonia Maqedonia e Veriut
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Berovo	Berovë	Berovo	Macedonian
Bitola	Manastir	Bitola	Macedonian
Debar	Dibër	Debar	Macedonian
Delčevo	Dellçevë	Delčevo	Macedonian
Gevgelja	Gjevgjeli	Gevgelja	Macedonian
Kičevo	Kërçevë	Kičevo	Macedonian
Kočani	Koçan	Kočani	Macedonian
Kratovo	Kratovë	Kratovo	Macedonian
Kriva Palanka	Krivë Pallankë	Kriva Palanka	Macedonian
Kruševo	Krushevë	Kruševo	Macedonian
Kumanovo	Kumanovë	Kumanovo	Macedonian
Negotino	Negotinë	Negotino	Macedonian
Ohrid	Ohër, Ohrit	Ohrid	Macedonian
Pehčevo	Peçevë	Pehčevo	Macedonian
Prilep	Prilep, Përlep	Prilep	Macedonian
Radoviš	Radovisht	Radoviš	Macedonian
Resen	Resnjë	Resen	Macedonian
Šar Mountains	Bjeshkët e Sharrit, Malet e Sharrit, Mali i Sharrit	Šar Mountains	Macedonian
Skopje	Shkup	Skopje	Macedonian
Struga	Strugë	Struga	Macedonian
Strumica	Strumicë	Strumica	Macedonian
Sveti Nikole	Sveti Nikollë	Sveti Nikole	Macedonian
Tetovo	Tetovë	Tetovo	Macedonian
Valandovo	Vallandovë	Valandovo	Macedonian
Zajas	Zajaz	Zajas	Macedonian

Oman

Oman Omani
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Muskat	Muskat	Masqaṭ	Arabic

Poland

Poland Polonia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Warsaw	Varshavë	Warszawa	Polish

Romania

Romania Rumania
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Bucharest	Bukuresht	București	Romanian
Constanța	Konstancë	Constanța	Romanian

Russia

Russia Rusia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Moscow	Moska	Moskva	Russian
Saint Petersburg	Shën-Pjetërburgu	Sankt-Peterburg	Russian

Rwanda

Rwanda Ruanda
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Kigali	Kigal	Kigal	Kinyarwanda

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Arabia Saudite
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Medina	Medina	Madīna	Arabic
Mecca	Meka	Makkah	Arabic
Riyadh	Riad	Riyāḍ	Arabic

Serbia

Serbia Serbia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Belgrade	Beogradi	Beograd	Serbian
Blace	Bllacë	Blace	Serbian
Bujanovac	Bujanovc	Bujanovac	Serbian
Kuršumlija	Kurshumli	Kuršumlija	Serbian
Leskovac	Leskoc	Leskovac	Serbian	Also known in Albanian as Leshkuq
Medveđa	Medegjë	Medveđa	Serbian
Novi Pazar	Pazar i Ri, Treg i Ri	Novi Pazar	Serbian
Preševo	Preshevë	Preševo	Serbian
Prokuplje	Prokuplë	Prokuplje	Serbian
Raške	Rashkë	Raške	Serbian
Sjenica	Senicë	Sjenica	Serbian
Vlasotince	Vllasotincë	Vlasotince	Serbian

Somalia

Somalia Somalia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Mogadishu	Mogadishu	Muqdisho	Somali

Switzerland

Switzerland Zvicra
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Bern	Berna	Bern	German
Chur	Kur	Chur	German
Geneva	Gjeneva	Genèvre	French
		Genf	German
Lausanne	Lozana	Lausanne	French
Lucerne	Luzern	Luzern	German

Turkey

Turkey Turqia
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Edirne	Edërne, Adrianopojë	Edirne	Turkish
İstanbul	Stamboll, Konstantinopojë	İstanbul	Turkish

Ukraine

Ukraine Ukrainë
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Kyiv	Kiev	Kyiv	Ukrainian

United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates Emiratet e Bashkuara Arabe
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Abu Dhabi	Abu Dabi	Abū Ẓabī	Arabic

United Kingdom

United Kingdom Mbretëria e Bashkuar
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Cardiff	Kardif	Caerdydd	Welsh
Edinburgh	Edinburg	Dún Èideann	Scottish Gaelic
		Edinburgh	Scots, English
London	Londër	London	English

United States

United States Shtetet e Bashkuara të Amerikës
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Connecticut	Kënetikët	Connecticut	English

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Uzbekistani
English name	Albanian name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Tashkent	Tashkent	Toshkent	Uzbek

See also

• List of European exonyms