Abstract: The difference in the trisyllabic, quadrisyllabic and pentasyllabic residential names in the 3 cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou are mainly shown in the pauses of the pentasyllables. The 3+2 pattern of pauses in Beijing is effected by the influence of its inherent toponymies, and the 2+3 pattern of pauses in Shanghai and Guangzhou is caused by rhythm. Most residential names in the 3 cities have suffixal identifier words. In accordance with the application or otherwise of metaphors, the suffixal identifier words fall into the two kinds of those with such words and those without. But no hard and fast line can be drawn between the two. A continuum can be established between them in accordance with the force of the marking effect. Of the high frequent suffixal identifier words, the most of the names without suffixal identifier words are adopted by Beijing, less by Shanghai and the least by Guangzhou.

Key words: residential names, syllable, rhythm, pause, suffixal identifier word