The names of most of the PRC's autonomous areas are made from linking together: The name of a geographical area; followed by the name or names of the predominant ethnic minority or minorities; then the word "Autonomous;" then a type of administrative division.

Level	Geographical area	+ Ethnic name/s	+ "Autonomous"	+ Admin. division	= Result
1	Guangxi	Zhuang	Autonomous	Region	Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
2	Dehong	Dai and Jingpo	Autonomous	Prefecture	Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture
3	Shizhu	Tujia	Autonomous	County	Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County
3	Evenk	Evenks	Autonomous	Banner	Evenk Autonomous Banner

Some autonomous areas have more than one specified minority, which tend to be listed in the name of the prefecture, creating rather long names. Two autonomous counties simply use "Various Nationalities" in their names as placeholders, rather than listing out all of their designated ethnicities:

The constitution states that the head of government of each autonomous areas must be of the ethnic group as specified by the autonomous area (Tibetan, Uyghur, etc.). The constitution also guarantees a range of rights including: independence of finance, independence of economic planning, independence of arts, science and culture, organization of local police, and use of local language. In addition, the head of government of each autonomous region is known as a "chairman," unlike provinces, where they are known as "governors."