A campaign calling for Snowdonia to be known only by its Welsh name Eryri is gathering pace after a 5,000-signature petition was presented to national park bosses.

Such calls, which would also see the Snowdonia National Park referred to as Eryri rather than Snowdonia, were prompted by Gwynedd councillor John Pughe Roberts who felt it would be “a real chance to make a statement on the need to protect our indigenous Welsh place names”.

Previous efforts have been made to drop English forms including one from language pressure group Cymuned in 2003, who claimed the area only became known as Snowdonia due to Victorian day-trippers.

But the park has confirmed that it has been presented with a petition containing over 5,300 signatures from “around the world”.

Elfed Wyn ap Elfyn of Cymdeithas yr Iaith said: “Attacks on the Welsh language is something consistent, this is seen when house names and names for different areas of Wales are changed from Welsh.

“I, and many others think that only using the names ‘Eryri’ and ‘Yr Wyddfa’ would be a positive step towards showing the importance of the Welsh language.”

At a meeting on 18 April, members voted not to consider a motion to change the name due to a Welsh Place Names Task and Finish Group having already been appointed.

With the group tasked with establishing and adopting guidelines on the use of place names by the park authority, officers say that his will enable it to “protect and standardize the use of place names in the Snowdonia National Park”.

A spokesperson added: “They will also raise awareness within different local and international audiences of the importance of place names in Eryri and as a source which strengthens connections with the environment, history and heritage of the area.”

Cllr Wyn Ellis Jones, chair of the Snowdonia National Park Authority, added: “The Snowdonia National Park Authority is committed to protect and promote the use of native place names for everyday use and for future generations.

“One of the aims of the group will be to note how success on the use of these place names are measured.

“The vibrancy of the Welsh language is one of Eryri’s special qualities and we are passionate about respecting and protecting our communities, our language and our culture.”

The online petition stated: “Using the name of Yr Wyddfa and Eryri alone shows the importance of the Welsh language to the people of Wales and changing people’s view of the language, making it more visible to people who come here on holiday and for people who live here now.”