From prime numbers to place names: a new use for Eratosthenes' sieve

The sieve of Eratosthenes (the ancient Greek mathematician and geographer) is presented as a tool for teaching about place names in geography classes. The sieve concept provides the cultural geographer with a method for undertaking content analysis. In this demonstration, a "toponymic sieve" is used to sort urban place names, separating them primarily by linguistic origin. The results of the sieve-style content analysis suggest various dimensions of American culture that have influenced place naming.