Hanau
/ˈhaːnaʊ̯/noun
Hanau is a city in Hesse, Germany, located near the confluence of the Kinzig and Main rivers.
Did you know?Hanau is famous as the birthplace of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, whose collections preserved numerous European fairy tales, legends, and magical traditions.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kagh-
“To enclose, surround, or fence in; the proposed ancient root behind the first element.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hagō
“An enclosure, hedge, or fenced tract of land.”
Old High German
OHG
hag
“A fenced or enclosed area, especially one associated with woodland.”
Old High German
OHG
ouwa
“A waterside meadow or low-lying river island; ancestor of German Aue.”
1143
Medieval German
Hagenowe
“The earliest recorded form of the place-name, combining an enclosure or wooded tract with a riverside meadow.”
Modern German
German
Hanau
“The modern shortened form of the historic place-name.”