Names
Vääna (Vääna):
Various explanations for this… It may be named after a ‘nearby’ village or manor, the latter thought to have originally been a fortress, and later (1306/1325?) a poolmõis (see Mõisa) belonging to Padise monastery. Known historically as Faehna or Feyena, Veghenoya (all 14th-C) where the name (with an Oja tacked on) could, conceivably, have derived from MLG vēen, vēyen, etc., to hate or treat with hostility, evolving into Ger. feien, to render invulnerable (cognates Ger. Feind, enemy and Eng. fiend), a reasonable name for a fortress…), but this seems a bit over the top. More likely: simply from the nearby winding river Vääna (cf. väänama, to twist)! On the other hand, it looks suspiciously like the backstories in Väo and Lükati, but there’s no convincing evidence. What is odd is why (if they did) did they choose the name of a manor house some 16-odd km futher west? Anyone’s guess. Formerly Raadio (see Tähetorni) (until 1927), then Pioneeri (see Pioneeride) (1927-59), and Lao (see Moonalao) (1959-60).
Vaari (Vaar)
Grandfather, old man. The expression Vaar ja moor (see Moora) suggests it comes from Swedish where far and mor mean father and mother. Street, interestingly, named for being on the wrong side of the track to Hallivanamehe. See Äia.
