Avon
ˈeɪvən
proper noun
Origin
Proto-Celtic
*abonā — river, water
Overview
Meaning Now
- a river in England, notably the one in the Midlands that flows through Stratford-upon-Avon
- a company selling cosmetics and household products, founded in 1886 and named after the river
Literal older meaning
river
Language path
Proto-Celtic → Brittonic → English
Earliest form
Avon
Earliest period
12th century
Journey
The name Avon is common for rivers in England and Wales, deriving from a Celtic word meaning 'river'. It is cognate with Welsh 'afon' and Breton 'avon'. The cosmetics company Avon was founded in 1886 and took its name from the river, inspired by the Shakespearean spelling.
Evolution
- Proto-Celtic (circa 500 BCE)
*abonā
“river”
Reconstructed form based on comparative evidence from Celtic languages.
- Brittonic (early 1st millennium CE)
*avon
“river”
The Brittonic spoken in Britain retained a similar form, which was adopted into English as a place name.
- Old English (circa 1000 CE)
Avon
“river (as a proper noun)”
Used primarily in place names; not a common noun in Old English.
- Modern English (16th century onward)
Avon
“river; also adopted as a brand name in 1886”
The cosmetics company Avon was named after the river, referencing Shakespearean usage.
Connections
Word parts
Avon
root
river
Explore next
Related to Avon
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.