Abbreviating Geographic Words in Proper Names (Saint, Mount, Port, Point, Fort)
Abbreviations
Rulebase Summary
Abbreviate the word 'saint' as St. with a period when it is used as a title before a name. The feminine form is Ste. Write out the words mount, port, point, and fort as part of a proper name — do not abbreviate them.
BGGP Abbreviation.24 · p.247 BGGP Abbreviation.25 · p.247
Examples
✗
A. The defendant was born in Saint Louis.
✓
A. The defendant was born in St. Louis.
Abbreviate 'saint' as St. with a period.
✗
A. He lived in Ft. Lauderdale for three years.
✓
A. He lived in Fort Lauderdale for three years.
Write out 'fort' in proper names — do not abbreviate.
Transcript Notes
The abbreviation Ste. is not always used with a feminine name — research the specific name and use the form you find. Some reporters prefer to research and use the form used by the entity itself rather than automatically abbreviating.
Style Guide References (2)
BGGP
Abbreviation.24
Page 247
BGGP
Abbreviation.25
Page 247
See also (7)
Related Commas in Dates and Addresses See Abbreviations That Require Periods Related Single Period When a Sentence Ends with an Abbreviation Related Capitalize Geographical Names and Specific Roadways Related Capitalize City and State After or Before a Proper Name Related Addresses — House Numbers and Street Names Related Abbreviating and Capitalizing Titles with Names