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Väike Rannavärav (0)
Small/Lesser/Lower Coastal gate. First known as Veike Ranna värav (1885), followed by Kleine Strandpforte (1907) then Väike-Rannavärava tn (since they now call it a värav, gate, instead of a tänav, street, the dash disappears) until 1987. Oddly, no medieval street/road names are recorded. Southernmost of the two ‘Coastal gates’ (if there were only 2 of them, shouldn’t it be ‘southernmore’?) See Suur Rannavärav.
Uus (Adj.)
New. The street (see below for Uus Turg), along with Aia and Vene is in the pale blue section of the Estonian Monopoly board, below the purple Paldiski mnt, Mustamäe tee and Sõpruse pst. Since the Soviet Union prohibited the game until 1987, this may have reflected prices at the time, and considerably undervalues current market rates. Once known as Hahnreigasse (cuckold’s alley), given its specific, almost name-calling nature, another interpretation is possible. Hahnrei seems to derive from two components: Hahn (rooster, cock) and rei probably from an early Germanic *wrainiska, lustful or in heat, so ‘randy rooster’ or whatnot. And, back in the day, many women or wives, believed to be horny but just short of cash, probably resorted to prostitution at times. Being perhaps a local trade, the name may reflect the idea of fucking your neighbor’s wife, hence the humorous or other-disparaging ‘cuckold’ association, rather than the plain old admission of having to pay. The old Russian names (1907) were Земляная (Zemlyanaya) or Земляничная (Zemlyanichnaya). The former meaning ‘earthy’, the latter ‘strawberry’ and with the street backing onto Aia, why not. But perhaps there’s a pun or innuendo there?
Valli (Vall)
Wall, rampart, earthwork. Also means halyard, but not in this particular instance. Previous name of walliwahe (±1913) rejected for sounding too much like a Scotsman arguing with porridge.
Vana-Viru (Vana-Viru)
Old Viru. Previously Alte Lehmstraße / Старая Глиняная ул (Staraya Glinyanaya), old clay street (1889, etc.) and Narvsche Straße / Нарвский выезд (Narvskiy vyyez), Narva road / ‘exit’ / egress or just ‘Road to Narva’ (1889, etc.). ‘Выезд’ – which only occurs once in Estonian street-names – raises an interesting point: as well as for things like ‘away’ matches, it was also used for the side-hustle of decking out a horse and carriage for rent as pin money. Would have been a good place for it, so possible, but don’t quote me. See Viru tänav.
