On the Etymology of the Name Haná (River and Region in Central Moravia)

Abstract

The author evaluates the existing etymological interpretations of the name of the Haná river in Central Moravia, which became the name of the entire adjacent region in 16th century. Taking into account the natural character of Haná river and the assumed inter-ethnic contacts in Moravia at the time of the arrival of the Slavs, the author considers it likely that the name of the Haná river is motivated in the same way as the name of the Jahna river in Saxony. According to the author, both names are Germanic, the original form of both names is *Ganō and the Indo-European root *gʰan- ‘to yawn’ (cf. German verb gähnen) is at the base of the name. The Haná river is thus a ‘yawning river’, i.e. a lazy flowing, shallow river with low banks.