Hydronyme

Greek Neologism meaning “water name” (of the Greek hydros " eau" , and topos " lieu"), a hydronyme is a name given to a River, a stretch of water (Lac, Marais) or a source. Hydronymy is thus the science which studies the names of the rivers, by seeking their significance, their etymology, but also their transformations with the wire of the centuries. With the Toponymy (study of the place names) and the Anthroponymy (study of the names of people), it belongs to the Onomastique (study of the proper names), itself connects linguistics.

Basin of the Garonne

the Garonne: Garumna, comes from kar- (rock) + - onna (source)
Tarn: Tarnis or Tanara, of the roots ligure tan (cliff) + - rear (river)

Basin of the Loire

the Loire: Liger, comes from the Celt liga (binds, mud, silt)
Allier: To wash out, comes from Ligurian el (tree) + rear (river whose valley is in the shape of plain), river with the trees, undoubtedly because it was used for the floatation of wood.

Basin of the Rhone

the Rhone: from the Greek rhodanos , comes from rho- (to run) + - danu (bold, proud)
the Saone: Saucona, sawk- (crowned) + - onna (river). Called Arar , before the conquest romiane.

Basin of the Seine

the Seine: Sequana, of sawk (crowned) + - onna (source)
the Marne: Matteronna then of Latin Matrona, comes from the Celt Matra (mother) and from the suffix - onna (river).

Coastal rivers of the English Channel

Somme: comes from Celtic the will samara (quiet)

Coastal rivers of the Atlantic

Adour : Atura, comes from the Ligurian will aturra (source)
Charente: Carantona, of the Ligurian kar (rock) + - onna (source)

Coastal rivers of the Mediterranean

Herault: Arauris or Araris, comes from aar (river)
Var: of the Ligurian ibar (valley)

To deepen

External bonds

crehangec.fr very complete Site on French toponymy.

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