We deal with dozens of names in the course of our daily lives—of streets, schools, parks, towns, landmarks. Do these names mean anything beyond functioning as labels for the places we live, the routes we drive, or our destinations?

This favorite handbook identifies the origins of nearly a thousand familiar place names in San Antonio and beyond. Naming sleuth David Green reveals the cave in Cave Lane, the “First Lady of Song” behind Rosita’s Bridge, and the middle school bearing the name of the first African American to walk in space.

Chapters are categorized by streets, parks, schools, libraries, military bases, and suburbs. Origins of Spanish names are included, as are the origins of a few names less officially designated—H-E-B, the Pearl, the San Antonio Spurs, and more. Who—or what—are the city’s landmarks named for? A leader or a noted citizen? A vanished family, a favorite pet, or simply someone who happened to be around when a name was needed? This is a book you’ll be referring to again and again for answers.