The most convincing etymology of the Rhône
(Rhodanus) is Celtic: *ro-dan(u)- 'big river' (Celtic *ro- < *pro- is
an intensive prefix). The Rhine (Rhenus), I believe, reflects Celtic
*re:nos < *rei-no-s 'rushing water' from *rei- 'run, flow' (cognates include
Latin ri:vus and English run), but Chris Gwinn's expert opinion on that
would be worth hearing. The two names are unrelated, and hydronymic
*ran(d)- can scarcely be related to either. It is difficult to say what it might
be in etymological terms. Perhaps the simplest possibility is Germanic *rand-
'boundary, border' -- but of course it's a mere shot in the dark. It usually
helps if one knows something concrete about the river in question -- its
physical features, local topography, etc.
Piotr
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2001 5:44 PM
Subject: Re: [tied] Re: Sarasvati River
I wouldn't be
surprised if the name of the Ran(d) river appeared to be connected with Rhone
and Rhine on the territory of the Megalithic culture (although later names could
be the heritage of Beakers who did not reach Denmark).