In antiquity, the sea was usually known as the Maeotis Swamp (, "ē Maiōtis límnē"; ) from the marshlands to its northeast. It remains unclear whether it was named for the nearby Maeotians or if that name was applied broadly to various peoples who happened to live beside it. Other names included or Maeotius (' or '); the Maeotian or (' or '); the Cimmerian or (' or '); and the Cimmerian or (' or '). The Maeotians themselves were said by Pliny to call the sea Temarunda (alternative spellings Temarenda and Temerinda), meaning "Mother of Waters".