User blog comment:Scrawland Scribblescratch/Naples/@comment-32656-20120703063915/@comment-4656717-20120704012112

Not so: Adelaide, named after the wife of William IV; Carolina, named after queen Caroline, spouse of George II; Queen Maud Land, named after Queen maud, consort to the king of Norway; Maryland, named after the consort of king Charles; Charlotton, named after the spouse of George III etc. etc.

Oftentimes, places were named after particular nobles, famous military leaders or religious figures. This was especially so if the noble/military leader/religious figure had been instrumental in the establishment of the colony. (eg Brisbane, named after Lord Brisbane, Governor of NSW at the time who ordered the settlement to be established.)

Particular towns and cities can just be given the same names as cities/towns in the motherland. But I think it was mainly the British who did that.