Харьковъ

Old Ruthenian

Alternative forms

• Ха́рковъ (Xárkov), Ха́рково (Xárkovo)

Etymology

The toponym is formed using the suffix +‎ -овъ (-ov) from the name Харько́ (Xarʹkó), Харко́ (Xarkó), colloquial form of Харито́нъ (Xaritón), which comes from Ancient Greek Χαρίτων (Kharítōn). The stress on the first syllable is due to the influence of Ха́рѧ (Xárja).

Originally there was a hydronym Ха́рьковъ коло́дезь (Xárʹkov kolódezʹ, “Kharko's river, stream”). Already after the founded settlement probably had the name *Ха́рьковъ ху́торъ (*Xárʹkov xútor, “Kharko's khutor, farmstead”).

Proper noun

Ха́рьковъ • (Xárʹkov) m inan

1. Kharkiv (a city in Ukraine) [1650s or 1620–1629]
2. Kharkiv (a river in Ukraine and Russia) [from 16th c.]

Descendants

• Belarusian: Ха́ркаў (Xárkaŭ)
• Carpathian Rusyn: Ха́рьков (Xárʹkov)
• Ukrainian: Ха́рків (Xárkiv), Ха́рьків (Xárʹkiv) — obsolete
  • → English: Kharkiv
  • → German: Charkiw
  • → Portuguese: Carquive
• → Russian: Ха́рьков (Xárʹkov)