Currently, in historical and ethnological research, special attention is paid to the problem of national identity. One of the problems that is an indicator of national identity is studies in the field of toponymy. Determining the essence and features of the origin of geographical names, we can judge the territorial integrity and life of the peoples who inhabited this area. The purpose of the study in this direction is proof, illustration, demonstration that, revealing the essence of toponyms, the land-water name is closely connected with the life, worldview, mentality and economy of the nation. A natural phenomenon is that an ethnos formed in a certain territory gives a name to the surrounding geographical environment, based on its inherent uniqueness. One people in any era lives in close cultural and economic ties with other peoples. As a result of the inevitable cultural interchange, local place names are also undergoing linguistic changes. This, in turn, contributes to a comprehensive and multidisciplinary study of toponyms.

The article reveals the features of toponymic research, its importance for science. Guided by the works of scientists who conducted research work in this direction, an assessment of the stages of toponymic research is given. Studies of toponyms in the Kazakh steppe are considered, the degree of correlation of scientific works of toponymic orientation with national identity is formulated.