River Nene - Origins of The Name

Origins of The Name

Pronunciation of the river's name varies with the locality. In Northamptonshire it is usually /ˈnɛn/, and around Peterborough usually /ˈniːn/. The spelling was "Nenn" (as seen in Cole-Roper's 1810 engraving) or "Nyn" until the beginning of the 20th century, and the point at which the pronunciation changes has been moving further inland for many years; the current edition of the Imray "Map Of The River Nene" suggests that the cut-off point is Thrapston.

There is no certain etymology for the name. It has been suggested that it is Celtic: certainly many major rivers in England show pre-Anglo-Saxon origins, such as the Ouse and Avon; the same name appears in the 'Neen', the former name of the river Rea in Shropshire, which is retained in the hamlet of Neen Savage. A.D. Mills however considers the name 'obscure' and suggests that it may even be pre-Celtic.

The river gave its name to the former Nene College of Higher Education in Northampton, now the University of Northampton, and also to the Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet engine, Rolls-Royce's practice being to name their gas turbine designs after British rivers. This may also be linked to the fact that Sir Henry Royce was born in Alwalton, a village which is by the river Nene near Peterborough.