Mineralnye

Mineralnye is a Russian toponymic term formed from the adjective минеральные, meaning mineral. In geographic usage, it appears as part of place names to indicate proximity to mineral springs or mineral resources. The name is used across Russian-speaking regions and in former Soviet territories, often in combination with other words to form a town, village, or locality.

The best-known example is Mineralnye Vody (Mineral Waters), a town in Stavropol Krai, Russia. Located in the North Caucasus region, Mineralnye Vody is associated with mineral springs and spa facilities and serves as a transportation hub with railway links and historical air connections. The name reflects the town’s spa heritage and the mineral water resources that attracted settlement.

More broadly, the element Mineralnye appears in various other toponyms throughout Russia and neighboring countries, indicating mineral springs, mineral resources, or therapeutic waters. In many cases, such localities emerged around well-known springs or bottling sites and later developed into resort or industrial centers.

Etymology: The term derives from Russian минеральные (mineral) and is used adjectivally to describe features related to minerals. In English-language maps, such names are typically transliterated as Mineralnye or Mineralnye Vody for the specific town.