Загадка Выга

Abstract

In her investigation of etymological origins of the name of the river Vyg, flowing into the White Sea, the author arrives at a conclusion that the name (< *Vyg) appeared in ancient times as a name for a rapid in the lower course of the river in the language of Lapp people (or Proto-Lapps) who populated the White Sea coast. Already during the Lappish period, the name was extended to the whole of the river, as well as to the lake (Vygozero), from which the river flows. Owing to the fact that the Vyg-river has since very long been an important part of a transit water-and-portage way that connected Lake Onega and the White Sea, the name early came into regular Russian usage, from where it was later adopted by Karelians. The author allows for a possible derivation of the place-name from Proto-Lapp. *vękę ‘quick, impetuous’ or *vēkę > Lapp. North. viekkâ, East. vīgg, vikk ‘power, big and strong’.