English 'Moscow' comes via French from Russian Moskva, the name of the river — likely from a Finno-Ugric or early Slavic root meaning 'dark water' or 'swampy river'.
The capital and largest city of Russia, situated on the Moskva River in western Russia.
English 'Moscow' derives from the Russian 'Moskva' (Москва), which is also the name of the river on which the city stands. The city takes its name from the river, following a common naming pattern. The river name's origin is debated. The leading hypothesis connects it to a Finno-Ugric substrate language — possibly from a Merya or Muroma word meaning 'dark water' or 'marshy, muddy' (compare Komi 'mösk' meaning 'cow' and 'va' meaning 'water', though this specific compound is disputed). Another theory derives it from a
The English word 'Muscovy' — the old name for the Russian state — and 'muscat' / 'muscatel' grapes have nothing to do with each other, despite the similar sound. Muscovy comes from Moscow, while muscat comes from Latin muscus (musk). The historical Grand Duchy of Muscovy (Московское княжество) gave English the adjective 'Muscovite' for anything Russian.