Etymology

The city's name is of Lithuanian origins and most likely derives from a personal name.^[3]

Before Lithuania regained independence, the city was generally known in English asKovno, the traditional Slavicized form of its name; the Polish name is Kowno; theBelarusian name is Koўнa, Kowna. An earlier Russian name was Ковно Kovno, although Каунас Kaunas has been used since 1940. The Yiddish name is Kovne(קאָװנע), while its names in German include Kaunas and Kauen. The city and itselderates also have names in other languages (see Names of Kaunas in other languages and names of Kaunas elderates in other languages).

Folk history[edit]

An old legend claims that Kaunas was established by the Romans in ancient times. These Romans were supposedly led by a patrician named Palemon, who had three sons: Barcus, Kunas and Sperus.^[4] Palemon fled from Rome because he feared the mad Emperor Nero. Palemon, his sons and other relatives travelled all the way to Lithuania. After Palemon's death, his sons divided his land. Kunas got the land where Kaunas now stands. He built a fortress near the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers, and the city that grew up there was named after him. There is also a suburban region in the vicinity named "Palemonas".^[5]

Coat of arms[edit]

Great coat of arms of Kaunas

On 30 June 1993, the historical coat of arms of Kaunas city was established by a special presidential decree. The coat of arms features a white aurochs with a golden cross between his horns, set against a deep red background. The aurochs is the original heraldic symbol of the city since 1400. The heraldic seal of Kaunas, introduced in the early 15th century during the reign of Grand Duke Vytautas, is the oldest city heraldic seal known in the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.^[6] The current emblem was the result of much study and discussion on the part of the Lithuanian Heraldry Commission, and realized by the artist Raimondas Miknevičius. An aurochs has replaced a wisent, depicted in the Soviet era emblem, used since 1969.

Blazon: Gules, an aurochs passant guardant argent ensigned with a cross Or between his horns.

Kaunas also has greater coat of arms, which is mainly used for Kaunas city representation purposes. Sailer, three golden balls and Latintext "Diligite justitiam qui judicatis terram" (English: Cherish justice, you who judge the earth^[1]) in the greater coat of arms is a reference to merchants and seafarers patron Saint Nicholas, who was regarded as a heavenly guardian of Kaunas by Queen Bona Sforza.^[7][8]