The Nidelva is a central part of Trondheim, and like many large and important rivers, it has several names and forms. Further upstream, the river is called Nea, and in Old Norse times, it was named "Nið." But the Nidelva also has two old Sámi names: Nïejtejohka and Gånka. Nïejtejohka means "girl/daughter river," and Gånka means "king." The first name has been mainly used for the section of the river below Tydalen (i.e., from Tydalen to Trondheim), while the second has been used for the section above Tydalen, located just north of Røros municipality. The source of the Nidelva is close to an old Sámi settlement area that was archaeologically investigated in 2023.