Izvorul

Izvorul is a Romanian toponym meaning "the spring" or "the source," derived from the word izvor for spring or fountain. It is used as the name of several inhabited localities in Romania and, to a lesser extent, in Romanian-speaking areas of Moldova. The name typically reflects a nearby water feature that local communities historically relied on, such as a natural spring or stream.

In Romania, Izvorul most often denotes small rural villages that are part of larger communes or administrative units. The form may appear as a standalone village name or as part of compound names in local geography, sometimes appearing alongside qualifiers such as Mare (big) or Mic (small) in regional variants. The distribution of places named Izvorul generally follows rural settlement patterns and is common in hills and near watercourses.

In Moldova and among Romanian-speaking communities beyond the modern state borders, similar localities bearing the name Izvorul exist as agricultural villages or neighborhood divisions within larger municipalities or districts. The use of Izvorul as a place name across the region reflects a broader toponymic tradition linking settlements to natural water features.

Notable features: There is no single nationally significant site designated by the name Izvorul; rather, it is a common locality name that identifies many distinct places. Each Izvorul has its own local history, churches, cultural practices, and landscape tied to its rural setting.

See also: Izvoru, Izvor, Izvorul Mare, Izvorul Mic.