Streetsign reading "Tallinn Streets dot com" Header

Work in progress

A pile of ro ad signs half-trashed and piled up on a building-site, to indicate the site is in construction.

Website under construction, a couple of entries still pending, no photos with the streets yet, layout not finalized...

This started with a book (last few pages under review) and so far 1889 of the 1891 articles entered, 1 or 2 links may go nowhere.

Logo of the Tallinn Children's Hospital Foundation

The Book

All author earnings of A Rambling Dictionary of Tallinn Street Names to be donated to the foundation or donate here.

If anyone could help or advise as to the legal mechanism, it would be appreciated, thanks!

The Website

Not intended at the beginning, the present website is taking on a life of its own, with plans for relevant discussion forums, picture galleries and, over time, more non-streetname entries.

In theory, it will be funded by advertising relevant to people in Tallinn, to be determined.

A percentage of profits (also to be determined) to be donated to the foundation. 

Contact

Photograph of Simon Hamilton in Pikk street, Tallinn.

Apparently, a company that uses its owner's name is considered more trustworthy because they put themselves on the line.

This is me, in Tallinn this spring (2025), on a 3-month spree to check details, take photos (about 12K), explore (ave. 15K/day), and so on. I think I covered every street in Kesklinn (apart from Mõigu), most of Põhja-Tallinn and some Kristiine.

For information, please contact Simon at this address dot com, thanks!

Names

Reseeda (Reseeda)

Mignonette, reseda, Reseda spp., formerly used as a yellow dye. Interesting street: existed on paper (only?) from 1958-06-13 to 2010-02-10.

Retke (Retk)

Excursion, outing, expedition. Being next to a major hospital, one wonders where the next journey led…

Rickemakeri (Rickemaker)

After the Rickemacker (Rikemacher, 1647) farm / estate some halfway between lake Harku and Kõrgepea nukk first mentioned in 1371, but not found in any street database despite being shown NW and parallel to Kadaka tee on Google maps. Rather unusual name: ‘kingdom’-maker, etc. (cf. Reich) sounds a bit over the top, as do ‘rich-’, ‘prosperous-’ or ‘famous-’… Given its very old age, it could be a Viking-type byname highlighting the original bearer’s generosity (for example). Location slated for development?...

Riida (Riit)

Stack or pile of (fire-)wood. Something close to every Estonian’s heart, hearth and home. One of a fire-making group. See also Halu.

Riisika (Riisikas)

Milk or milk-cap mushroom, Lactarius spp. Odd history: Lätte (1927-1959) with interlude as Lohu, from lohk, pit or depression (1940-1941), then Pampli from pampel, bramble (1959-1960).

Ringtee (Ringtee)

Sometimes known as Kadrioru ringtee. Road running from the NE tip of Mäekalda and looping anticlockwise around the park, through the now Presidential Palace car park to Weizenbergi A.. Still exists, but as a pedestrian path, joined by a very steep and cobbled slipway (slip being the operative word, cyclists beware) from the Valge lighthouse.

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Advertise...

Your business, store or consultancy next to your street address and a percentage of your fee (to be determined) goes the the Children's Hospital fund.

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Post your favorite local photo and sponsor the foundation. Your entire sponsorship goes go the the Children's Hospital fund

Wanted!

Beautiful photos of your street or Tallinn! Send them in! No remuneration planned for now, but will be attributed according to your preferences.