Neva

Neva is a feminine given name in English usage, with two distinct origins. It is primarily a short form of Geneva, itself a shortened form of Genevieve, which derives from the medieval name Genovefa and ultimately from the Germanic elements kunją meaning "clan" and wībą meaning "wife, woman". Alternatively, it may stem from Gaulish origins as a variant of Geneviève, combining the Celtic element genos "family" with a second element of unknown meaning. Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, famously rallied the city against the Huns in the 5th century, and her name has contributed to the popularity of related forms.

Geographical Meaning

Neva is also the name of a major river in Russia, the Neva (NEE-və or NAY-və; Russian: Нева́, IPA: [nʲɪˈva]). Despite its modest length of 74 kilometres (46 miles), it is the fourth-largest river in Europe by average discharge, after the Volga, the Danube and the Rhine. It is the only river flowing from Lake Ladoga, passes through the city of Saint Petersburg, and is part of the Volga–Baltic Waterway and White Sea–Baltic Canal. Historically, the river gave its name to Alexander Nevsky after the Battle of the Neva in 1240, and was central to the founding of Saint Petersburg in 1703 and the Siege of Leningrad during World War II. As a given name, Neva may draw on the river's exotic and elegant connotations.

Usage

As an English first name, Neva has been in use since the 19th century, aligning with the trend of abbreviating longer saints' names and geographical names becoming popular as given names.

• Meaning: Short form of Geneva, or from the Neva River in Russia
• Origin: English, Russian (river name)
• Type: Diminutive; geographical place name
• Usage Regions: English-speaking countries