The names Moldavia and Moldova are derived from the name of the Moldova River; however, the etymology is not known and there are several variants: a legend mentioned in Descriptio Moldaviae by Dimitrie Cantemir links it to an aurochs hunting trip of the Maramureș voivode Dragoș and the latter's chase of a star-marked bull.
Nimed Moldaavia ja Moldova on tuletatud Moldova jõe nimest; kuid etümoloogia pole teada ja siin on mitu varianti: Dimitrie Cantemiri teoses Descriptio Moldaviae mainitud legend seob selle Marmaatia vojevoodi Dragoș I tarvajahiga ja tagaaetava tähemärgiga sõnniga.