Ичкерия

Etymology

 * According to one version, from Chechen, a minor stream flowing into Belka, a tributary to . The toponym was, however, originally an exonym to the Chechens, who referred to the landscape as instead and the form with a ч rather than with a с is likewise difficult to explain. Occasionally, the toponym has also been used in Russian 19th century-sources as , which is easier to reconcile with this etymology.


 * An etymology going back to with the overall meaning of "nine lands" has been proposed too (ibid.), but is likely a folk etymology.


 * A likelier origin is the.

Proper noun

 * 1) Ichkeria