Afon
/ˈavɔn/noun
A Welsh word meaning “river,” also used in English in Welsh place names and as a regional loanword.
Did you know?The name Avon ultimately comes from the same ancient Celtic river-word as Welsh afon, which is why the River Avon is literally called “River River.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ab- / *h₂ep-
“A reconstructed water-related root associated with rivers and flowing water.”
Ancient Celtic
Celtic
*abonā
“River; a flowing watercourse.”
Roman Britain
Latinized Celtic
Abona
“A river name recorded in Roman Britain, including the river later known as the Avon.”
Proto-Brittonic
Brittonic
*abonā
“River; the ancestor of the modern Welsh form.”
Middle Welsh
Welsh
avon
“River.”
Modern Welsh
Welsh
afon
“River; the regular modern Welsh form, also preserved in place names and English usage.”