Wading River is a community in Suffolk County, on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 census, the population was 6,668. The welcoming community of Wading River spans Riverhead and Brookhaven townships in this scenic and historic corner of Long Island. The name of the community comes from the original Native American name for the area, Pauquaconsuk, meaning "the place where we wade for thick, round-shelled clams". The simple translation of this native word, "Wading in the River" or Wading River was adopted by the first settlers.