('Greater Chechena'). The name Chechen occurs in Russian sources in the late 16th century as "Chachana", which is mentioned as a land owned by the Chechen prince Shikh Murza. Its etymology is of Nakh origin and derives from the word che ('inside') attached to the suffix -cha(n); the word Chechen can thus be translated as 'inside territory'. The villages and towns named Chechan were always situated in the Chechen plains (Chechan-are) located in contemporary central Chechnya.

The name "Chechens" is