Editing Neva (section)

==Etymology==
The earliest people in recorded history known to have inhabited the area are the [[Baltic Finns|Finnic people]]. The word ''Neva'' is widespread in [[Finnic languages]], having quite [[cognate]] meanings. In [[Finnish language|Finnish]] it means [[poor fen]], in [[Karelian language|Karelian]]: watercourse and in [[Estonian language|Estonian]] (as ''nõva''): waterway.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/37709596|title=Muinaiskarjalan uralilainen tausta|last=Kallio|first=Petri|website=Academia|access-date=31 December 2018|archive-date=6 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306095551/https://www.academia.edu/37709596|url-status=live}}</ref>

It has been postulated the name could derive from [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] adjective ''newā'' which means new – the river began its flow some time between 2000 [[Before Christ|BC]] and 1250 BC. However, the local place names with such influence coincide with Scandinavian traders and Slavs' first main settlement in the region, in the 8th century AD.<ref name=":0" />