This paper discusses the encoding of proper names using the TEI Guidelines, describing the practice of the Women Writers Project at Brown University, and the CELT Project at University College, Cork. We argue that such encoding may be necessary to enable historical and literary research, and that the specific approach taken will depend on the needs of the project and the audience to be served. Because the TEI Guidelines provide a fairly flexible system for the encoding of proper names, we conclude that projects may need to collaborate to determine more specific constraints, to ensure consistency of approach and compatibility of data.