Names of Agents, Places, and Timespans

Apply these instructions to names of agents (including subtypes), places, and timespans. Also apply these instructions to proper nouns used to refer to non-RDA entities such as fictitious characters, deities, imaginary places, etc.

In general, capitalize the first word of each name, including names consisting of a phrase. Capitalize other words by applying the guidelines applicable to the language involved. Capitalize an initial article that is considered part of the name.

For names with unusual capitalization, follow the capitalization of the commonly known form.

For names that consist of initialisms and acronyms, capitalize the letters according to the predominant form.

Titles of Works, Etc.

Apply these instructions to titles of works, expressions, manifestations and items. Also apply these instructions to note elements that refers to a title of work, etc.

Capitalize the first word or the abbreviation of the first word in a title, or in a title of a part, section, or supplement. Capitalize other words as applicable in the General Instructions and in the guidelines for the language involved.

For titles that contain words with unusual capitalization, follow the capitalization of the commonly known form.

Capitalize names of agents, places, and timespans used in titles according to instructions for those names. However, do not capitalize words in a timespan that would not be considered proper nouns in styles manuals for a language.

General Guidelines for English

For capitalization issues not covered in these instructions apply instructions in style manuals for English, such as The Chicago Manual of Style.

Capitalize a letter that refers to a letter of the alphabet.

Names of Agents, Places, and Timespans in English

Note that these instructions also apply to apply to proper nouns used to refer to non-RDA entities such as fictitious characters, deities, imaginary places, etc. When instructed to capitalize a name, capitalize each separate word or initial except articles (excluding initial articles), prepositions, and conjunctions.

Capitalize a plural generic term when it is used with distinctive nouns as part of two or more proper names.

If a name includes a prefix from a language other than English (e.g., de, des, la, l’, della, von, von der ), follow the person's use of capitalization for the prefix. In case of doubt, capitalize it.

General Guidelines for Italian

Do not capitalize names of members of religious groups, sects, religious orders, political and other organizations, names of religions, and names of languages: i protestanti ; i benedettini ; un democratico ; il buddhismo ; il francese (the French language).

Do not capitalize adjectives derived from names of members of religious groups, sects, religious orders, political and other organizations, names of religions, names of languages, geographic and personal names, and adjectives indicating nationality: la religione cattolica ; la flora alpina ; il popolo italiano ; iconografia dantesca.

Capitalize nouns indicating nationality: gl’Italiani.

Do not capitalize the names of days of the week and of months.

Names of Agents, Places, and Timespans in Italian

Note that these instructions also apply to apply to proper nouns used to refer to non-RDA entities such as fictitious characters, deities, imaginary places, etc.

In general, capitalize only the first word, proper nouns, religious terms, and the word following an adjective denoting royal or pontifical privilege in the names of corporate bodies.

Capitalize the proper names of centuries and time periods. When using a number, including a number expressed as a word, with a term indicating temporal extent as a name of timespan, do not capitalize the term indicating temporal extent unless it is the first word in the name.

For modern names of persons, capitalize a prefix that is considered part of a proper name.

For medieval and early modern names, consult reference sources to determine whether to capitalize the prefix.

General Guidelines for Spanish

Do not capitalize derivatives of proper names: las mujeres colombianas.

Do not capitalize adjectives used substantively: los franceses.

Do not capitalize the names of days of the week and of months.

Names of Agents, Places, and Timespans in Spanish

Note that these instructions also apply to apply to proper nouns used to refer to non-RDA entities such as fictitious characters, deities, imaginary places, etc. When instructed to capitalize a name, capitalize each separate word or initial except articles (excluding initial articles), prepositions, and conjunctions.