For the most part Manx place names are determined by geography, vegetation and environment. Some are common Gaelic terms and others originate from Scandinavian languages.
| Common Gaelic Terms Found in Local Place Names | |
| Gaelic | English |
| Ard | high point |
| Balley | farm, stead, place |
| Bwoaillee | fold/field |
| Broogh | bank |
| Carrick | rock (sea) |
| Croit | croft |
| Cronk | hill |
| Faaie | homefield / flat |
| Gob | point, small headland |
| Garee | sourland |
| Keeill | church |
| Kerroo | quarterland |
| Lheeanee | meadow |
| Lhiargagh/Lhiargee | slope |
| Magher | field |
| Slieau | mountain |
| Thie | house |
| Traie | shore |
| Scandinavian elements Found in Local Place Names | |
| Scandinavian | English |
| Aa | river |
| Ayre | gravel bank |
| By | farm, settlement |
| Clett | rock, cliff |
| Fell | mountain |
| Howe | headland |
| Ness | protruberance |
| Wick | cove, bay |
| Towns, Villages and Settlements | |
| Manx | English |
| Balley Chashtal | Castletown |
| Doolish | Douglas |
| Purt ny h-Inshey | Peel |
| Rhumsaa | Ramsey |
| Laksaa | Laxey |
| Purt le Moirrey | Port St Mary |
| Purt Chiarn | Port Erin |
| Andreas | Andreas |
| Balley Beg | Ballabeg |
| Balley Sallagh | Ballasalla |
| Balley ny Loughey | Ballaugh |
| Bayr Garroo | Barregarrow |
| Braaid | Braaid |
| Bride | Bride |
| Colby | Colby |
| Creneash | Cregneash |
| Balley ny Croshey | Crosby |
| Delbee | Dalby |
| Camys y Ree | Derbyhaven |
| Forsdal | Foxdale |
| Glion Muigh | Glen Maye |
| Glion Vian | Glen Vine |
| Balley Noa | Newtown |
| Yn Arbyl | Niarbyl |
| Kione Droghad | Onchan |
| Purt Soderick | Port Soderick |
| Eairy Shynnagh | Ronague |
| Balley Keeil Eoin | St John's |
| Strang | Strang |
| Sulby | Sulby |
| Myllin Doo Aah | Union Mills |