REKA

Reka is a term with multiple uses. In many Slavic languages, reka (or its variants) means “river.” In South Slavic languages such as Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, and Slovene, reka functions as the common noun for river and also appears in place names and geographic descriptions. In Russian and Ukrainian, cognate forms such as река (reka) and ріка (rika) also mean “river.” Because of this shared meaning, the word commonly occurs in geographic contexts across Slavic-speaking regions, including rivers, villages, and districts named after nearby watercourses.

Etymology and linguistic context: Reka derives from Proto-Slavic *reka, with cognates spread across Slavic languages. Variants reflect regular phonological developments in different languages, but the core meaning remains the same.

Geography and toponyms: As a toponymic element, reka is embedded in many geographic names. It may appear alone as the name of a river or as part of a longer name identifying a river’s course, location, or significance in a landscape.

People and culture: Reka is also used as a personal name or surname in some communities, though it is relatively uncommon. Its appearance as a name is typically tied to cultural and linguistic traditions rather than widespread usage.

Other uses: In linguistic work and translation of Slavic toponyms, reka is frequently encountered as the native term for “river,” helping readers understand how place names relate to natural features in Slavic regions.