Dnieper
/ˈdnjɛpər/noun
A major river in eastern Europe flowing through Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine to the Black Sea.
Did you know?The river’s name was recorded by ancient Greek and Roman writers in forms like Borysthenes, but the modern Dnieper comes through Slavic and possibly Iranian layers of naming that preserve a very old river identity.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Βορυσθένης (Borysthénēs)
“The classical name used by Greek authors for the river”
Ancient Roman
Latin
Borysthenes
“Latin form of the Greek river name”
Early Medieval
Slavic
Dněprъ
“Early East Slavic form of the river name”
Modern English
English
Dnieper
“The standard English name of the river”