According to Max Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary, the name "Vologda" originates from a Uralic language and means "a white city".

[2] Another, less reliable account suggests that the city was named after the river and its name should be translated as "white water" (compare Eastern Mari volgədo "light").

[5] The source of the Vologda lies in the western part of Vologodsky District.

East of Vologda, the river flows northeast past unpopulated swampy areas and joins the Sukhona in the village of Ustye-Vologodskoye.

The river basin of the Vologda comprises the major part of Vologodsky District, as well as minor areas of Sheksninsky and Gryazovetsky Districts of Vologda Oblast.