Po
/poʊ/noun
The longest river in Italy, flowing eastward into the Adriatic Sea.
Did you know?The river’s ancient Latin name was Padus, but the deeper origin is uncertain and may come from a pre-Roman language that has left few surviving clues.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Roman antiquity
Unknown
*Pad- or related form
“A probable pre-Roman name-source; its exact meaning is unknown.”
1st Century BCE
Latin
Padus
“The Latin name for the river now called the Po.”
Late Latin
Latin
Pādus
“The established Roman geographical name for the river.”
Medieval period
Italian
Po
“The shortened Italian form of the ancient river name.”
Modern English
English
Po
“The standard English name of Italy’s major northern river.”