The most linguistically well-grounded and widely accepted is from the Proto-Balto-Slavic root *''mŭzg''-/''muzg''- from the Proto-Indo-European *''''- "wet", so the name ''Moskva'' might signify a river at a wetland or a marsh. Its cognates include ,  "pool, puddle",  and  "to wash",  "to drown",  "to dip, immerse". In many Slavic countries Moskov is a surname, most common in Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine and North Macedonia. Additionally, there are similarly named places in Poland like Mozgawa.