velikaya

Velikaya is a Russian toponym meaning "great" or "grand," used for several geographic features and inhabited localities in Russia. The most prominent reference is Velikaya River, a northwestern Russian river located in Pskov Oblast. The river runs through rural areas and has historically functioned as a local waterway for fishing and small-scale navigation, contributing to the regional hydrology and surrounding communities.

The name Velikaya is common in Russian toponymy and appears in the names of villages and settlements across different oblasts, either as an independent locality or as part of compound names. In historical documents and literature, Velikaya is often used as a geographic descriptor and as a component of place names, reflecting its cultural resonance in the region.

Etymology: the name derives from the Russian adjective velik- meaning "great" or "large." The feminine form Velikaya is used with feminine nouns, such as rivers and some settlements.

Geographic distribution: beyond the Velikaya River in Pskov Oblast, the form Velikaya appears in the names of several rural localities and in various regional contexts throughout Russia, illustrating the widespread use of this toponym.