Religious Place Names

Pernik, Bulgaria: From “Perun,” the name of a Slavic god, plus “nik,” a Slavic suffix carrying the idea of “associated with.”

Kilkeel, Northern Ireland: The Irish name of this town is Cill Chaoil, meaning “church of the narrow place.”

Omagh, Northern Ireland: This is An Omaigh, Irish for “sacred plain.”

Picket Wire, Arizona: This is an English language corruption of “purgatoire,” the French word for Purgatory.

Christmas, Arizona: From the Greek verb, “chriein,” which means “to anoint.”