The present paper deals with the transcription of proper names from Latvian and Lithuanian into Russian. The problem is caused by the lack of a stable tradition of using the major terms which apply to the Baltic countries, as well as by the development and availability of the Internet. The paper describes such issues as non-observance of rules of transcription and rules of Russian grammar in giving names to rivers belonging to different countries and the changing of transcription rules and terms over time. A special “intelligent” dictionary of place-names is suggested as a possible solution to the problem.