a method and navigation device for abbreviating names of cartographic markers . a navigation device has a processor , a display , an input , and a memory having cartographic data stored therein . the cartographic data includes names of geographical locations . using the input , an operator of the navigation device enters a waypoint by selecting a desired geographical location . the processor retrieves from memory the geographic name associated with the selected location , and when the geographic name exceeds a desired number of characters , processes the name to abbreviate it to fit within the desired number of spaces . the abbreviation process involves eliminating spaces , vowels , one consonant of a pair of double consonants , one vowel of a pair of double vowels , and / or one or more special characters as necessary , to reduce the geographic name to the desired number of characters .