ENGLISH
KOHANIMEVIHIK is an Estonian-language website and an independent research project focusing on older Estonian place names and their historical, cultural and religious background.
The name KOHANIMEVIHIK can be translated approximately as “Place Name Notebook”. The website examines a selection of Estonian place names and does not aim to cover the entire body of Estonian toponymy.
Place names are more than geographical labels. They may preserve traces of earlier languages, settlement, beliefs and cultural environments. An important part of the project is therefore the study of possible connections between older place names, pre-Christian beliefs, deities and cult sites.
KOHANIMEVIHIK is a popular-science web publication based on ongoing research. The articles do not claim to provide exhaustive treatments of the subjects discussed. They may be expanded or revised as new sources, information and connections emerge. Verifiable information, earlier interpretations and hypotheses developed during the research are distinguished from one another as clearly as possible.
KOHANIMEVIHIK is currently available in Estonian. Swedish and English versions of the website are planned for the future, but the translation work will be carried out at a later stage of the project. In the meantime, visitors may use their browser’s automatic translation function. However, place names, historical name forms, words from other languages and specialist terminology may not always be translated accurately.
Website Structure
Articles and entries are organised by subject. Thematic indexes provide a compact overview of articles within the same field and make it easier to find related topics.
UURIJALE (For the Researcher) – methodological guidance, practical experience and other information intended to support independent place-name research.
KOHANIMED (Place Names) – an alphabetical index of selected place names that have been studied and their possible meanings.
MÄRKSÕNAD (Keywords) – an alphabetical index of prefixes, suffixes, etymological words and concepts used in the analysis of place names, including material from other languages.
MÜTOLOOGIA JA USUND (Mythology and Religion) – articles on ancient religions and mythologies, deities, supernatural beings and religious concepts, as well as beliefs, cult, rituals and sacred places relevant to the research project.
ÄÄREMÄRKUSI (Notes and Observations) – observations, questions and hypotheses that have emerged during place-name research but extend beyond the explanation of an individual place name.
AI INFO – background articles, primarily on Estonian history and cultural history, intended to provide historical context for the study of place names. These articles have been prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
TEATED / UUDISED (News and Announcements) – information about the KOHANIMEVIHIK research project, developments on the website and other relevant news.
New subject areas may be added as the research develops.
All material on the website is freely accessible. Original texts, images, illustrations and other creative content are protected by copyright where applicable. Materials may be quoted, referenced and linked to in accordance with applicable law and good citation practice.
About the Author
Lea Stroh is an independent researcher based in Sweden. Her professional background is in the conservation of historic buildings and cultural heritage in both Estonia and Sweden.
Her interest in place-name research developed through the study of historical maps and older forms of place names. Knowledge of Scandinavian languages and long experience with both Estonian and Nordic cultural environments have also made it possible to use Nordic linguistic and historical sources in the research.
She conducts the research independently and at her own expense. Her aim is to contribute to a deeper understanding of older Estonian place names and to draw attention to possible historical connections that may deserve further investigation.
Terms of Use and Copyright
The materials published on KOHANIMEVIHIK are freely available to read. The use of the website’s content is governed by applicable copyright law and the website’s Terms of Use.
Further information about the use of materials, copyright, citation requirements and permissions can be found in the Terms of Use.
This document also provides links to the related documents Copyright and Citation Guidelines and Terms for the Use of Research Results.
Voluntary Support
All material on the website is freely accessible.
If you find the research valuable, you are welcome to support the project with a voluntary contribution. Such support helps the independent research and continued development of the website. A contribution does not constitute payment for a product or service.