Der Ortsname Libzi und seine Verwandten

mit zwei Karten

Abstract

The place name Libzi and its related names. The place name Leipzig, first mentioned 1015-1018 as Libzi, later Libiz, Libz, Lipczk and finally Leipzig, was previously interpreted as Old Sorbian *Liṕsk(o) ‘place of the linden trees’ as well as Germanic-Old Sorbian *Lib́c or *Lib́sk(o) ‘place in an area of abundant water’. Bernd Koenitz rightly questioned this interpretation and replaced it *Lib́čky was used in addition. Place names of similar formation and meaning in Saxony and Bohemia support this explanation. The article at hand confirms and renders Bernd Koenitz’s interpretations more precisely and places them in a broader context with regard to geographical names and historical settlements. Besides such place names as *Lib́cě there are various others which verify the immigration of Slaves from Bohemia and Moravia. Two multicoloured maps illustrate the results of this research.