Possible evolutionary paths of alkali-rich carbonatite magma may be related to the production of sodic and potassic fenites. It is concluded that the latter are generated not from separate Na- and K-rich carbonatites, but by the earlier preferential loss of Na from a sodi-potassic carbonatite magma. Trends of both Fe and Mg enrichment in carbonatites are illustrated from a number of centres, and ascribed to crystal fractionation, although metasomatism may be partly responsible. Current nomenclature of carbonatites is unsatisfactory and a division into sövites, magnesiocarbonatites and ferrocarbonatites is proposed, based on rock chemistry.