-up

Suffix found in place names in Western Australia Eup (administrative division) December 2024 August 2012 thumb|Porongurup is an example of a Western Australian place with a name that includes the "-up" suffix. -up ʌ p is a suffix commonly found in place names in south western Western Australia. The suffix originated in a dialect of Noongar, an Australian Aboriginal language, in which "-up" means "place of". The suffix "-in" or "-ing" has a similar meaning in a related dialect of Noongar.Milne, Rod Ups and ings : Aboriginal place names of south western W.A. 1992 R. Milne https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/24056620 16 July 2024https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31887347 PLACE-NAMES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. The West Australian XLI 7,302 Western Australia 23 October 1925 16 July 2024 15 National Library of Australiahttp://www.det.wa.gov.au/education/abled/apac/districts/albany/places.html Noongar Town Names and their Meanings Aboriginal Perspectives Across the Curriculum Department of Education and Training (Western Australia) 2009-05-19 4 September 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070904154203/http://det.wa.gov.au/education/abled/apac/districts/albany/places.html dead Places tended to be named after their distinctive features, whereby the place names could be used to create a "mental map" allowing Indigenous Australians to determine where water, food and other raw materials could be found. These sites were often located near sources of fresh water, leading to the common misconception that "up" and "in" mean "near water". The meanings and the pronunciations of many of these names has been lost over time. A number of these places were at one stage named with a suffix "-upp". This was as a result of the Western Australian Lands and Surveys Department adopting a system of spelling Indigenous Australian names devised by the Royal Geographical Society. The system set the pronunciation of consonants as in English and vowels as in Italian. Using this system meant that "up" would be pronounced uː p oop, whereas the names were meant to be pronounced ʌ p up.c D 2009-05-19 The solution was deemed to be that doubling the following consonant would shorten the preceding vowel, thus "upp". This spelling convention was rescinded for towns in south west Western Australia in 1915 as the Australian pronunciation of "u" was almost always short. The usage of some terms are for the name of Noongar groups as well as places Pinjarup is one of a number of names for one group – and it has been utilised and changed to the place name of Pinjarra. Earlier attempts had been published in the 1900s and 1920s exploring and explaining place names in the south west of Western Australia.Royal Anthropological Society of Australasia Western Australian Aboriginal Place Names Science of Man and Journal of the Royal Anthropological Society of Australasia 1904-02-22 G. Watson 7 1 11 https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/232922903 27 November 2025 List of places The following is a selected list of locations in Western Australia which end in "-up". NameLocationPlace name meaning (where known)Amelup 34 14 18 S 118 13 16 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline AmelupBadgebup -33.602 117.884 type:city(146)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Badgebup "place of wild rushes"c B 2009-05-19Bailup -31.740 116.311 type:city(100)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Bailup Aboriginal unknown origin.m B 2009-05-19Balgarup "place of the black boy trees" (Xanthorrhoea preissii).Balingup -33.787 115.982 type:city(443)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Balingup Derived from the name of an Aboriginal warrior, Balingan.Banjup -32.124 115.876 type:city(1291)_region:AU-WA_scale:30000 dms inline Banjup Named for Banjupp Lake.Barragup -32.544 115.794 type:city(965)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Barragup Not known.Beenup -32.222 116.001 type:city(965)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Beenup A corruption of the Aboriginal name of nearby Beenyup Brook. Now known as Byford.Binningup -33.149 115.689 type:city(950)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Binningup Apparently an Aboriginal name, but not necessarily traditional.Boranup -34.145 115.058 type:city(950)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Boranup Boyanup -33.486 115.73 type:city(615)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Boyanup "a place of quartz"Boyup Brook -33.834 116.388 type:city(532)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Boyup Brook "place of smoke"Burekup 33 19 0 S 115 48 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Burekup The Aboriginal name of a wildflower that grows profusely in the locality.Carbunup River 33 42 0 S 115 11 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Carbunup River " Variously "place of a kindly stream", "place of cormorants", and "place of the stinkwood thicket.Cardup -32.257 115.996 type:city(532)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Cardup "place of the racehorse goanna".m C 2009-05-19Chinocup 33 32 0 S 118 23 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Chinocup an Aboriginal word of unknown meaning.c C 2009-05-19Condingup 33 45 S 122 32 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Condingup an Aboriginal word of unknown meaning.Coodanup -32.554 115.744 type:city(3141)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Coodanup Unknown.Cookernup -32.994 115.893 type:city(299)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Cookernup "the place of the swamp hen".Coolbellup -32.082 115.818 type:city(4752)_region:AU-WA_scale:30000 dms inline Coolbellup The Aboriginal name of a lake in the area.Cooloongup -32.296 115.780 type:city(6822)_region:AU-WA_scale:30000 dms inline Cooloongup "place of children".Overman Jacinta Dooley Brendan Bowra Tim Strano Paddy 2010 Rockingham Lakes Regional Park – Management Plan 2010 https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/parks/management-plans/decarchive/rockingham_lakes_regional_park_management_plan__cover.pdf 4 19 July 2017Coolup 32 44 0 S 115 52 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Coolup "place of the wild turkey".Coomalbidgup 33 38 0 S 121 22 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Coomalbidgup "Possum scratches up a tree & there is water there".Cowaramup -33.8514 115.1059 type:city(1000)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Cowaramup believed to be derived from cowara, the Aboriginal name for the purple-crowned lorikeet (Glossopsitta porphyrocephala).Culeenup (Cooleenup) -33.576 115.773 type:city(1000)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Cowaramup Cundinup -33.849 115.804 region:AU-WA_type:city inline Cundinup Dalyellup -33.402 115.625 type:city(1000)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Dalyellupstill, frothy waterDalyup 33 43 0 S 121 36 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Dalyup Possibly the Noongar word for the king parrot or Hookbill.Dandalup -32.519 115.968 region:AU-WA_type:city inline Dandalup Not known.Dardanup 33 24 0 S 115 45 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Dardanup Believed to be a variation of the Aboriginal word "Dudingup" the meaning of which is not known.Dinninup 33 49 0 S 116 32 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Dinninup An Aboriginal name of unknown meaning.Dwellingup -32.715 116.064 type:city(346)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Dwellingup "place of nearby water".Gelorup -33.410 115.641 type:city(532)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Gelorup Gidgegannup -31.792 116.198 type:city(2277)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Gidgegannup "place where spears are made". "Gidgie" is the word for spear.Gnowangerup -33.938 118.008 type:city(623)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Gnowangerup "place where the mallee hen nests" (Leipoa ocellata).c G 2009-05-19Gwelup -31.8762 115.7989 type:city(3239)_region:AU-WA_scale:30000 dms inline Gwelup "the lake that shifted position", derived from "Gwelgannow" which means to "shift the position" and "step aside".m G 2009-05-19 Gwindinup 33 31 0 S 115 44 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Gwindinup May be a local spelling of the nearby Gynudup Brook.Jacup -33.78 119.151 type:city(532)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Jacup Jandabup -31.741 115.851 type:city(313)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Jandabup "place of little eagle".">m J 2009-05-19Jerdacuttup 33 43 0 S 120 28 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Jerdacuttup Named for the Jerdacuttup River.c J 2009-05-19Jerramungup -33.942 118.916 type:city(272)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Jerramungup "place of upstanding yate trees" (Eucalyptus cornuta).Jingalup 33 58 0 S 117 02 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Jingalup A contraction of nearby Kodjingalup Well.Joondalup -31.745 115.766 type:city(8420)_region:AU-WA_scale:30000 dms inline Joondalup "place of whiteness or glistening".Joweelingup -32.592 115.832 type:city(8420)_region:AU-WA_scale:30000 dms inline JoweelingupKarnup -32.368 115.827 type:city(772)_region:AU-WA_scale:30000 dms inline Karnup A local Aboriginal name, the meaning of the name is not known.m K 2009-05-19Karrakup -32.256 116.07 type:city(200)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Karrakup From "Karrak", the Nyoongar word for the red-tailed black cockatoo which is prevalent in the area.Karrinyup -31.87 115.778 type:city(7793)_region:AU-WA_scale:30000 dms inline Karrinyup Originally Careniup, of unknown meaning.Kebaringup 34 02 0 S 118 09 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Kebaringup A local Aboriginal name, the meaning of the name is not known.c K 2009-05-19Kendenup -34.486 117.629 type:city(300)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Kendenup Of Aboriginal origin, of unknown meaning.Kirup -33.707 115.892 type:city(200)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Kirup "the place of summer flies".Kojonup -33.838 117.152 type:city(1122)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Kojonup "place of the stone axe".Kudardup -34.263 115.124 type:city(241)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Kudardup Named for Coodardup Mill.Kulikup 33 50 0 S 116 41 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Kulikup Not known.Kundip 33 41 0 S 120 11 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Kundip Not known.Kuringup -33.51 118.31 type:city(532)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Kuringup"place of wattle gum".Kwobrup 33 36 S 117 58 E inline Kwobrup "good place".Mandogalup -32.205 115.815 type:city(0)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Mandogalup An Aboriginal name, the meaning of which is unknown.m M 2009-05-19Manjimup -34.238 116.142 type:city(4239)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline ManjimupAn Aboriginal name said to be derived from "Manjin", a broad leafed marsh flag with an edible root.c M 2009-05-19Marbelup 34 59 0 S 117 44 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Marbelup Not known.Marrinup -32.669 116.023 type:city(532)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Marrinup Mariginiup -31.722 115.827 type:city(870)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Mariginiup "to pull out flag leaved flax".Mayanup 33 56 0 S 116 27 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Mayanup No meaning or source for the name given.Metricup -33.778 115.133 type:city(870)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline MetricupMonjebup -34.293 118.547 region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline MonjebupMoodiarrup 33 37 0 S 116 48 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Moodiarrup Not known.Morangup 31 37 3 S 116 19 20 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Morangup Mullalyup -33.745 115.948 type:city(150)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Mullalyup "the place where the young men had their noses pierced".Mumballup -33.528 116.113 type:city(144)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Mumballup Mungalup 33 24 0 S 116 06 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Mungalup Not known.Munglinup 33 43 0 S 120 52 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Munglinup A local Aboriginal word.Muradup 33 51 0 S 116 59 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Muradup An Aboriginal name.Myalup -33.102 115.694 type:city(144)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Myalup An Aboriginal name derived from a nearby swamp.Nambeelup -32.532 115.832 type:city(144)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Nambeelup Nannup -33.982 115.765 type:city(600)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Nannup "stopping place" or "place of parrots".c N 2009-05-19Narrikup -34.774 117.702 type:city(300)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Narrikup "place of abundance"Needilup 33 57 0 S 118 46 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Needilup Not known.Neerabup -31.691 115.777 type:city(100)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Neerabup Possibly "swampy place" or "small basin or lake".m N 2009-05-19Noggerup 33 35 0 S 116 10 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Noggerup Not known.Nornalup -34.991 116.822 type:city(279)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Nornalup "place of black snake" (Norn, a name of a Pseudechis species).Nowergup -31.637 115.746 type:city(200)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Nowergup "place of sweet water".Ongerup -33.966 118.486 type:city(119)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Ongerup "place of the male kangaroo".c O 2009-05-19Palgarup -34.174 116.175 type:city(50)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Palgarup Peringillup 33 56 0 S 117 38 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Peringillup Not known.c P 2009-05-19Pingrup 33 32 0 S 118 30 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Pingrup Believed to mean "grassy place".Pootenup 34 14 0 S 117 38 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Pootenup "place of the native hybrid mallee tree".Porongurup -34.664 117.874 type:city(130)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Porongurup Qualeup 33 50 0 S 116 48 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Qualeup The Aboriginal name of a nearby lake.c Q 2009-05-19Quedjinup -33.63 115.08 region:AU-WA_type:city inline Quedjinup Quigup 33 58 0 S 115 42 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Quigup Not known.Quindalup 33 32 0 S 116 00 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Quindalup "place of quendas" (Isoodon obesulus).Takalarup 34 36 S 118 2 E region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Takalarup Tambellup -34.041 117.642 type:city(297)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Tambellup possibly "place of thunder".c T 2009-05-19Wadjemup -31.998 115.546 type:city(128)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Wadjemup Noongar name for Rottnest Island, meaning "place across the water".Aboriginal History of Wadjemup Rottnest Island Authority https://www.ria.wa.gov.au/managing-the-island/cultural-heritage/aboriginal-history-of-wadjemup 2026-08-18 www.ria.wa.gov.au enn.d. Wadjemup welcomes Noongar Boodja https://www.rottnestfoundation.org.au/news/wadjemup-welcomes-noongar-boodja 2022-04-04 Rottnest FoundationWagerup -32.948 115.905 type:city(50)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Wagerup "Place of emus".c W 2009-05-19Wannanup -32.598 115.644 type:city(50)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Wannanup Warawarrup -33.048 115.912 type:city(50)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Wannanup Wattleup -32.170 115.824 type:city(844)_region:AU-WA_scale:30000 dms inline Wattleup Named for Wattleup Road.m W 2009-05-19Wilyabrup 33 47 0 S 115 2 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Wilyabrup Wokalup -33.11 115.881 type:city(100)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Wokalup Not known. Humorously said to mean "the confusion experienced by nocturnal animals during an eclipse".Wonnerup -33.624 115.42 type:city(374)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Wonnerup "place of the Aboriginal woman's digging or fighting stick".Woogenellup -34.530 117.828 region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Woogenellup Yallingup -33.640 115.028 type:city(1062)_region:AU-WA_scale:30000 dms inline Yallingup Place of cavesYalup Brook 32 54 0 S 115 54 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Yalup Brook Yangebup -32.129 115.819 type:city(6089)_region:AU-WA_scale:30000 dms inline Yangebup Derived from the Aboriginal word "yanget", the name of a native flax or bullrush.m Y 2009-05-19Yoongarillup 33 42 0 S 115 25 0 E region:AU-WA_type:city inline Yoongarillup Yornup -34.056 116.17 type:city(100)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Yornup Yunderup -32.576 115.791 type:city(792)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000 dms inline Yunderup Derived from "Yoondooroop", the original spelling of one of the islands in the Murray River delta. See also Noongar for a map of the Noongar linguistic regions References External links Nyungar Placenames in the South-West of Western Australia Category:Towns in Western Australia Category:Noongar place names Category:Place name element etymologies Category:Indigenous toponymy Category:Australian toponymy Category:English suffixes