forests that have covered the Black Mountains since ancient times, from the dark color of the dense forested ridges that give the mountains a dark hue. In the Geographical-Statistical Dictionary of the Russian Empire (1863-1885), the etymology of the Black Mountains range is described as follows: "...and it received its name because it is covered throughout its extent with dense, hard-to-access forest". A description of the Black Mountains in Chechnya and the same version of the origin of their name (second half of the 19th century):

To the right of the deep and steep bed of the Shalazhi River and to the left of the Valerik, a high, dense forest began, forming an impenetrable barrier to the movement of troops into the interior of the country. This forest was interrupted by river gorges into separate areas, sloping toward the Chechen Plain, then merging again into one continuous, endless thicket, climbing from ledge to ledge to the very ridge and stretching along the entire crest of the mountains with black-blue bristles, from which they received the name Black Mountains (Karatau).