Toponymy of Ingermanland: Evolution of scientific description methods

The article addresses a critical gap in toponymic studies by providing the first systematic review and analysis of research materials on Ingermanland toponymy from the 19th century to the present. The study's primary objective is to systematize the accumulated theoretical and practical experience in the field of Ingermanland toponymic research, which has never been comprehensively reviewed before. The research is based on extensive source materials, including historical maps, archival documents, field research data, academic publications, and bibliographies spanning over two centuries. The methodology combines historical-bibliographic analysis with comparative and systematic approaches. The author employs both diachronic and synchronic methods to trace the evolution of toponymic research in the region. The study systematically analyzes research paradigms, methodological frameworks, and theoretical foundations developed by different scholarly traditions - Russian, Finnish, Estonian, and Swedish - in their investigation of Ingermanland toponymy. The chronological analysis reveals distinct stages in the development of Ingermanland toponymic research. The early period of the 19th century was marked by the initial cartographic interpretation of toponyms by J.F. Bergenheim in 1827, the first linguistic analysis of Ingermanland toponymy by A.I. Hipping, and significant contributions by P.I. Koppen to the ethnic geography of the region. This period also saw the first systematic analysis of Finno-Ugric anthroponymy. The early 20th century brought the development of systematic approaches to studying settlement structures, integration of parish registers and church records into toponymic research, and the emergence of comparative linguistic analysis methods. By the mid-20th century, the field had witnessed the establishment of regional toponymic schools, development of field research methods, and creation of the first toponymic card indexes. The contemporary period has been characterized by the implementation of digital methods and GIS approaches, development of automated toponymic databases, and integration of multilingual and cross-cultural perspectives in research methodology. The study's findings reveal several key contributions to the field. First, it establishes a clear periodization of Ingermanland toponymic research development. Second, it identifies and analyzes major theoretical and methodological approaches that have shaped the field. Third, it demonstrates how research methods have evolved from simple etymological studies to complex interdisciplinary investigations. Fourth, it highlights the significant role of digital technologies and GIS methods in modern toponymic research of the region. The research concludes by presenting a structured framework for understanding the historical development of Ingermanland toponymic studies and identifying areas requiring further investigation. The paper's practical significance lies in its comprehensive systematization of research approaches and methods, which can serve as a foundation for future studies in regional toponymy. The author declares no conflicts of interests.

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