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Forum:Federal States/Government Agency Names

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Voting will remain open until 23:59 UTC on 14 September 2026

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Based on a discussion over on Discord, I wanted to ask the group: what should be the naming conventions for the FSA's federal agencies? In the U.S., these agencies are often called "Departments" (e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, etc.), while in other countries names like "Ministries" are more common. Many government buildings already mapped in Huntington use the "Department of ______" naming structure, but I don't know if we ever reached consensus on whether or not we should use that naming structure.

Also keep in mind that sub-units will also have their own naming structure, although in the U.S. there's less consistency there: for instance, the Department of Transportation is fond of "Administrations" (Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, etc.) whereas other units use other names (such as the U.S. Census Bureau in the Department of Commerce).

For now, let's create a list of options that we should consider, and once we've exhausted the options we can start whittling things down to a selection. Feel free to add more ideas to the list below. --TheMayor (talk) 15:14, 23 August 2022 (UTC)

List

  • Department
  • Bureau
  • Administration
  • Ministry
  • Office
  • Agency
  • Cabinet
  • Division

Comments

I added a few, and I know we'll discuss more later. The only one I'm adamantly opposed to is "ministry," in part because it breaks the US-based theme so strongly. There are a bunch of reasons why 'ministry' was never used in any notable way in the US, and I do think 'ministry' is something we should also avoid using. We can be creative without breaking the theme, in my opinion. — Alessa (talk) 16:11, 23 August 2022 (UTC)


"Cabinet" refers to a group of agencies/bureaus/departments, so "cabinet" won't work the same way. ItsTybear 13:21 EST, 26 December 2022

Don’t tell Kentucky. -TheMayor (talk) 20:22, 26 December 2022 (UTC)

I would rather save the term office for smaller units, instead of cabinet-level agencies. Ex: Office of Multicultural Education in the Department of Education ItsTybear (talk) 00:10, 4 September 2025 (UTC)

I'm partial to the terms Bureau and Department, particularly using Department for upper levels and Bureau for lower levels. Agencies would individual offices for the different Bureaus. TheRealStanPines (talk) 19:21, 27 January 2026 (UTC)

I think it is probably pretty ingrained in US lore that departments oversee others. I would be fine seeing if we should settle this as a top-level name, allowing for exceptions should good ideas arise. Under departments could be bureaus, agencies, administrations, and offices, depending on function, size, jurisdiction, etc. Anyone opposed to voting on that, or should we wait until things have been filled out more? — Alessa (talk) 00:13, 20 August 2026 (UTC)

"Department" is likely ingrained in many people's vernacular and is a pretty uncomplicated word to use for agencies; I think reserving it for at least the top level works well. PoisonDog522 (talk) 13:45, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

Voting

Important technical notes to users
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Initiative 1: Classification of top-level administrative divisions in the Federal bureaucracy

Please choose one (1) option below.

Yes, I approve the term "Department" for the top-level administrative divisions of the Federal bureaucracy

  1. Pole (talk) 15:44, 31 August 2026 (UTC)
  2. PoisonDog522 (talk) 17:15, 31 August 2026 (UTC)
  3. Infinatious (talk) 17:25, 31 August 2026 (UTC)
  4. CityGuy (talk) 18:02, 31 August 2026 (UTC)
  5. Brunanter (talk) 19:49, 31 August 2026 (UTC)
  6. Jr000 (talk) 21:01, 31 August 2026 (UTC)
  7. -TheMayor (talk) 02:42, 1 September 2026 (UTC)
  8. Mantan (talk) 08:45, 1 September 2026 (UTC)
  9. RhodeIslandWV (talk) 23:22, 1 September 2026 (UTC)
  10. — Alessa (talk) 15:47, 2 September 2026 (UTC)
  11. Glauber (talk) 19:25, 2 September 2026 (UTC)
  12. JustSomeMapper (talk) 22:53, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

No, I do not approve the term "Department" for the top-level administrative divisions of the Federal bureaucracy

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