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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Ouse, Avon, Derwent, Don – why are river names so repetitive?

The River Avon at Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire … there are plenty of other Avons. Photograph:
The River Avon at Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire … there are plenty of other Avons. Photograph: Nik Wheeler/Corbis

Why are river names so repetitive? Ouse, Avon, Derwent, Don, seem to occur again and again even across frontiers.

Nigel Agar, Hitchin, Herts

• Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com. Please include name, address and phone number

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