FLT CLEARED DIRECT FAM; MO. FO PROGRAMMED CORRECTLY; CAPT THOUGHT FMN; NM.

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FLT CVG TO LAX. ENRTE ATC (CENTER) CLRED OUR FLT DIRECT TO FARMINGTON. F/O LOADED DIRECT INTERCEPT TO FAM IN FMS; AND EXECUTED SAME. ABOUT 1 1/2 MINS LATER; CAPT LOADED DIRECT INTERCEPT TO FMN (ALSO ON OUR FILED AND CLRED ROUTE OF FLT) AND COMMENTED; 'IT'S 1061 MI TO FARMINGTON.' THIS AROUSED MY CURIOSITY; AND I NOTICED HE HAD LOADED FARMINGTON; NM AFTER I HAD CORRECTLY LOADED FARMINGTON; MO. NAVAIDS WITH THE SAME NAME; OR SAME SOUNDING NAMES ARE OBVIOUS AREAS FOR POTENTIAL AMBIGUITY; PARTICULARLY WITH RNAV ACFT THAT CAN NAV DIRECT TO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. ANOTHER PAIR OF NAVAIDS THAT COME IMMEDIATELY TO MIND ARE LVS AND LAS; LAS VEGAS; NM AND NV; RESPECTIVELY. I'M SURE THERE ARE PROBABLY MANY MORE INCLUDING INTXNS (PENSI--PENSACOLA; FL; AND PENSI--UNKNOWN LOCATION; NE I THINK) THAT HAVE THE SAME SOUNDING NAMES. THESE ARE OBVIOUS SAFETY PROBS. I WOULD HOPE WITH SUCH AN OBVIOUS PROB WE COULD CORRECT IS BEFORE AN ACCIDENT. HOPEFULLY USE FORESIGHT AND SHUT THE DOOR ON THIS ONE BEFORE THE HORSES ARE OUT OF THE BARN. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP ON THIS.