Artsakh or Karabakh
The words Artsakh and Karabakh are almost identical in meaning. The name Artsakh originated in immemorial times. According to legend, it means Aramanyani – the son of Hayk Nahapet, tsakh – tree, forest. Since, according to his order, forested areas and fruit trees were planted in this region. Subsequently, having undergone changes, this phrase turned into Artsakh. According to another legend of the locals, recorded at the end of the last century, the name Artsakh comes from the word “sar” – mountain and “tzakh” – forest, i.e., mountainous and forest (the main factor of the landscape of the region). Over time, the initial letter “c” disappeared and it turned out Artsakh.
The name Karabakh is relatively new, mentioned in Georgian and Persian sources from the 14-15th centuries. It was formed on the basis of the Persian geographical nomenclature: in contrast to the plain part, called Bag-i Safid (White Garden), the mountainous part of the region became known as Bag-i Siakh, which turned into Karabakh (Black Garden) in Turkic thinking.